Began his acting career in the late 1960s at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.
Brother of Ken Lerner.
Has a Master's Degree in English drama from UCLA.
Has the distinction of three different connections to the Kennedy dynasty in terms of his portrayals. He has played Jack Ruby in Ruby and Oswald (1978) (TV), former press secretary to JFK, Pierre Salinger in The Missiles of October (1974) (TV) and Jimmy Hoffa's attorney in Blood Feud (1983) (TV).
Studied for two years at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
Uncle of Sam Lerner.