Although he had a lengthy career in show business, his greatest fame came during a period of only five years in which he worked for Walt Disney. Famous for his pantomime routines, he was cast by Disney as the mute sidekick/servant Bernardo on the hit television series "Zorro" (1957). This led to major roles in the Disney features "Toby Tyler, or Ten Weeks With the Circus" (1960) and "Babes in Toyland" (1961).
Inducted into the National Four String Banjo Hall of Fame in 2011.