He was the son of Louis Colmans (1883-1964), a Dutch violinist who had acquired United States citizenship through naturalization in 1921. His mother, Leah Colmans (1881-1955), was also Dutch.
In the 1930s & 40s, Colmans worked as a radio announcer for the Arizona Broadcasting Company.
After retiring from acting, worked at The Tinder Box tobacco shop on Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles.
Emigrated to the USA in 1914 with his brother Jacques, mother Lea and father Wolf. Settled in New York, followed by New Jersey before travelling across to Los Angeles via Tucson, Arizona.
Worked at KFI-KECA radio as an announcer from the early 1940s before becoming an Actor.