Albertson was born in Malden, Massachusetts to Flora (née Craft) and to Leopold Albertson. His career would begin in 1938 and last until his death in 1981. Alebrtson was married to Wallace Thompson from 1952 until his death. They had a child, Maura Dhu Studi Albertson. Albertson died on November 25, 1981 in Hollywood, California from Colorectal cancer which he had for three years, he was 74 years old.