Biography

Born in Wisconsin, he was raised on hippie communes and Indian reservations of the pacific Northwest. His first experience before the camera was at age 5, on "Romper Room", where he also met Edgar Bergan and Charlie McCarthy. He became a professional ventriloquist by the age of 11 and was creating his own animated and short films in his spare time. His fascination with physical development began as a way to overcome acute shyness, which developed from abuse he suffered as a child. He arrived in Hollywood in 1983, taking assorted television roles, including winning the game show "The Dating Game". Known for his creative abilities, he became a producer for the Disney/Touchstone organization among several other production companies. His strategy to succeed as an actor was to learn all aspects of the industry first, beginning with employment as a production assistant and eventually becoming the lead casting director for a series on the Showtime network. He is a character actor, most widely known for the late 90s television series "Conan", where he played the fierce yet sensitive sidekick, Zzeben. He is a produced writer for both television and feature films, and a highly respected artist. His sculptures range from large scale designs that have become landmarks, to smaller, mechanical sculptures, which are coveted by private collectors and professional performers around the world. He left Hollywood in 2003, after the tragic death of his close friend, for a life off-grid in the rugged mountains of norther Idaho, returning to the Entertainment Industry in 2014. His charitable causes include support groups and organizations that help adult survivors of child abuse.