Studied at USC in California and first worked as a singer and trombonist with [xxxxx]. In films from 1933, often in westerns based on
Zane Grey novels. Appeared under the name Glenn Erickson early in his career, but, because of his Nordic appearance, his first name was changed to Leif by 1938. Played a succession of stalwart marshals and sheriffs, as well as
Deborah Kerr's insensitive husband in
Tea and Sympathy (1956). Best known as cattle rancher Big John Cannon in the TV series
The High Chaparral (1967).