A graduate of the Yale School of Drama.
Moved from being a familiar face for over 20 years in film and television to directing. His first project Love Struck (1986), a 23-minute film which he both wrote and directed, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. His ex-wife Fredda Weiss produced the short.
Remembered as Bonnie Franklin's lumpish, even-natured boyfriend in the earlier seasons of "One Day at a Time" (1975).
Served two 2-year terms as president of Screen Actors Guild, 1995-1999. His wife Eileen is also a SAG New York branch president.
Sits on the boards of The Hollywood Policy Center and The Creative Coalition, and has been deeply involved, for over six years, in the campaign for a U.S. national health plan.
Versatile character actor whose quality TV movie roles over the years have ranged from playing a Senate investigator in Adam (1983) (TV), to a child molester in the acclaimed Fallen Angel (1981) (TV), to a gay cop in When the Bough Breaks (1986) (TV). He also received an Emmy nomination for his performance, opposite Farrah Fawcett (also nominated) as an abused wife and mother in The Burning Bed (1984) (TV).