Began acting on stage in 1945.
Father of daughter, Lilan Purdom, a French television journalist.
He was long based in Rome.
He worked extensively as a voice dubbing actor for many years - dubbing numerous European (mostly Italian) films into English.
Son of an artist/critic; he attended Douai, St. Ignatius and Downside schools in England, UK.
Won the lead role in The Student Prince (1954) after Mario Lanza's weight gain forced him out of the part; won the lead role in The Egyptian (1954) after Marlon Brando turned it down in favor of playing Napoleon in Desirée (1954).