Actor. He is best remembered for his portrayal of the stern Inspector Aumont in "Gaugin the Savage" (1980). Born Alan Lyle-Smythe, after serving in the Royal Army Service Corps during World War II, he began his career on the stage appearing in stock companies between the Canada and the United States. After meeting director Harry Levin at a press conference for screenwriters, he was so impressed by his articulate voice, intelligence, and professionalism, that he arranged for him to begin a career in the film industry beginning with him being under his supervision in "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (1959). From there, he would go on to enjoy a successful career as a character actor appearing in over 80 features; often typecast as husbands, fathers, doctors, clergymen, politicians, white-collared workers, retail clerks, mailmen, policemen, soldiers, detectives, reporters, curmudgeons, sidekicks, neighbors, landlords, farmers, eccentrics, con-artists, villains, captains, salesmen, historical figures, foreigners, sheriffs, cowboys, and patriarchs. He appeared in such feature films as "Seven Thieves" (1960), "The Fiercest Heart" (1961), "Five Weeks in a Ballroom" (1962), "The List of Adrian Messenger" (1963), "Signpost to Murder" (1964), "Strange Bedfellows" (1965), "The Rare Breed" (1966), "The Devil's Brigade" (1968), "Sole Survivor" (1970), "Dixie Dynamite" (1976), "Beyond Evil" (1980), "The Sword and the Sorcerer" (1982), and "The Ice Pirates" (1984). During the advent of television, he flourished as a familiar face appearing in various gust spots on such syndicated sitcoms as "One Step Beyond," "Maverick," "The Californians," "Sugarfoot," "The Gale Storm Show," "Five Fingers," "Have Gun - Will Travel," "The Magical World of Disney," "Johnny Midnight," "Bronco," "Cheyenne," "Hong Kong," "Surfside 6," "Adventures in Paradise," "Ben Casey," "The Dick Powell Theatre," "Thriller," "The Third Man," "Death Valley Days," "77 Sunset Strip," "Combat!," "The Rogues," "Kraft Suspense Theatre," "Burke's Law," "The Farmers Daughter," "Jericho," "Tarzan," "The Rat Patrol," "It Takes a Thief," "Daniel Boone," "Ironside," "Bonanza," "The High Chaparral," "Mannix," "My Three Sons," "McMillan & Wife," "Centennial," "Magnum, P.I.," and "Goliath Awaits." During his career, he was a member of the Screen Actors Guild, was supportive of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, held dual citizenship between the United Kingdom and the United States, was an author of over 50 novels, had been a theatrical instructor for the Pasadena Playhouse, served as communications instructor for the UCLA, was supportive of the California State Democratic Committee, was a regular parishioner of the Catholic church, presided as chairman for his local charters of the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity, and he was married to stage actress Aliza Sverdona from 1939 until his death (their union produced one daughter, screenwriter Nadia Caillou). After retiring in 1984, he spent the remainder of his life being a regular attendee at autograph conventions, was a generous benefactor for several museums and libraries, divided time between his homes in California and Arizona, and was often seen partaking in recreational activities at the Los Angeles Country Club, until his death from the complications of natural causes.