British piano instrumentalist whose career reached its peak in the late 1950s. Born : September 02, 1925 // Bristol, United Kingdom Died : November 16, 2000
Played father Fenton Hardy to Tim Considine and Tommy Kirk s Hardy Boy sleuths in the Mickey Mouse TV series.
Served in the U.S. Armys Special Services Unit during WWII.
He was entertainment director at Ft. Ord before serving in the Philippines and, at the end of the war, in Japan, where he served as producer and announcer for Armed Forces Radio in Japan before beginning his Hollywood career in 1947.
Earned his Bachelors Degree from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1937, and a Masters Degree in theatre arts from UCLA, as well as teaching credentials.
Appeared in numerous westerns and detective shows and was frequently cast as law enforcers, military men or attorneys.
Brother of actor Donald Woods.
His two brothers quarrelled over the contents of his will.
Suffered from severe stage fright early in his career.
Television pianist who had number 1 UK hits with "Side Saddle" and "Roulette" both in 1959, followed by some lesser hits in the early 60s, but continued his success right into the 70s, especially on television.
His trademark percussive style of playing was a result of losing the tip of one of his fingers in an accident with a bread slicer while he was serving in the Royal Navy during World War II.
