Born Arthur Veary. Having trained for law, he gave it up for the theater after serving in World War One. After several years on the London stage he moved to the U.S. in 1926, appearing in revues and Broadway plays. He began his screen career in 1934, remaining busy until 1940, after which his film work slowed down. He was typecast in the role of the perfect butler, often snobbishly portrayed. In the '60s and early '70s he was the sidekick of TV talk-show host Merv Griffin.