Laid-back character actor from the stage (Broadway, 1919-1932), who specialised in Runyonesque gangsters or the wisecracking friend of the star. Particularly effective at delivering droll one-liners in his unique pitch-changing voice, which he did to great effect in such films as 'Union Pacific', 'Northwest Mounted Police', 'Roxie Hart' and 'Reap the Wild Wind".