Learned to tap dance at age 4 in order to correct pigeon toes.
Played cello with a youth orchestra.
Ran away to join a Budapest circus at age 17 in order to obtain his Equity Card. He stayed for six months, working with the jugglers and trapeze artists.
Studied musical theater as a young man; appeared in the stage productions Cats, 42nd Street and Annie Get Your Gun before attending drama school.