Cassidy is a slick, charming, blond supporting actor who debuted on Broadway at age 15 as a chorus line member in Something for the Boys and gradually thereafter became a musical comedy star. He was awarded a Tony in 1963 for his work in She Loves Me. He also performed in revues and nightclubs and on TV, in the latter playing both light and dramatic roles; Cassidy often appeared with his wife, singer-actress Shirley Jones. He won an Emmy for his work in the TV movie The Andersonville Trial. His film appearances were few and far between; his final appearance (before his death in a fire that destroyed his apartment) was as John Barrymore in W.C. Fields and Me (1976). He was the father of actor/singers David and Shaun Cassidy and actor Patrick Cassidy; prior to his marriage to Shirley Jones he was married to actress Evelyn Ward, David Cassidy's mother.