Corbin began his career as a Shakespearean actor in the 1960s, but today he is more likely to be seen in the role of the local sheriff, military leader, or some other authority figure, though on occasion, he has effectively portrayed murderous villains, as well. To moviegoers, he is well remembered as General Beringer in "WarGames", John Travolta's uncle Bob Davis in "Urban Cowboy", co-starring with Clint Eastwood in "Any Which Way You Can", or Roscoe Brown, July Johnson's bumbling deputy in the acclaimed Western "Lonesome Dove".