Son of a former Irish member of the US Army cavalry. He was born in
France, where his father had retired. Most of his film career was in Italy,
mostly as a character actor in spaghetti westerns and B-actioners .
Added the name "Donald" to his passport, as the contracts and credits
kept misspelling his name and, as a result, banks refused to cash
in his misspelled paychecks.
Started his acting career at the famed Gate Theatre of Dublin, under Micheál MacLiammóir.
His brother, an Irish volunteer in the Royal Air Force, was killed in action during World War II.
In 1980 was involved in an accident that left him half paralyzed. He
partially regained his mobility and continued acting nonetheless,
although his parts were now limited.