He graduated from Hollywood High School and then attended the premier art university in Europe, the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma. He served in the United States Navy during World War II as a "Monuments Man", finding, preserving and cataloging art stolen by the Nazis.
He graduated from Hollywood High School and went on to study at the prestigious Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, working as a "Monuments Man" to recover and protect cultural artifacts seized by the enemy.