He was a well-known star of Canadian television, and his name really made waves when he took on the role of the humorless Dean Wormer in Animal House. That performance certainly put him on the map. Later, he portrayed the mayor of San Francisco in Dirty Harry, adding another memorable character to his growing list of roles. He even embraced the quirky side of cinema by playing a villain in the cult classic Killer Klowns from Outer Space—talk about range! Before all the fame, though, he had already built a solid foundation back home, starring in CBC dramas like A Cheap Bunch of Nice Flowers and Uncle Vanya. Eventually, he made the move to the U.S. to pursue film roles, which turned out to be a pivotal moment in his career.
Now, here’s something interesting—his older daughter, Kate Vernon, followed in his footsteps and starred on the CBS soap opera Falcon Crest, making the family name a familiar one on both sides of the border. And let’s not forget his youngest daughter, who carved her own path and became a popular folk musician. So while his name might first bring to mind those iconic screen roles, it’s clear that his legacy extends beyond just his performances—it lives on through his family too.
He lent his voice to several popular cartoon series, showcasing his talent in shows like The Marvel Super Heroes Show and Batman: The Animated Series. He really brought characters to life through his performances, and he became especially known for his work in animated projects. He had a unique ability to capture the essence of each role, and he contributed significantly to the success of these iconic series.