After serving in the U.S. Army, where he wrote, performed and produced shows for Special Services, he earned a Master's Degree in drama at the University of Washington in Seattle.
According to television children's programming historian Kevin Butler, Britten conveyed to Butler during a 1980s interview that he had worked for “Wantashanta Lodge on glorious Lake Winemesote” (neither have been documented and this could have been a Britten joke) as a toomler, a Yiddish word explained as someone who takes the initiative to make things happen.
It was during this time, according to Britten, that he was assigned by the lodge management to perform comedy skits and to create many games and activities for the benefit of the guests.
He became a fan of Eddie Cantor, ”Baron Munchhausen”(portrayed by Jack Pearl), Ed Wynn and many other well-known comedy performers.
He received national publicity as the schoolteacher turned clown after performing a pantomime routine in which he attempted to sit in a collapsible chair.
Britten made his first television appearance during 1955 (several sources give the year as 1954) on WJZ-TV (later WABC-TV) for the "Jolly Gene And His Fun Machine" show.
On the program, Britten provided puppetry and voice characterization for the show's puppets that included "Jolly Gene", "Yoo Hoo The Cuckoo" and "Waldo The Dodo."
Britten initially hosted the show as "Three Gun Willie The Kid" and he was accompanied by Doris Faye's "Princess Ticklefeather" character.
In a brief explanation that appeared in a subsequent issue of the newspaper on June 5, 1960, Britten replied: "...I must emphasize that she is greatly mistaken in asserting that they are acquiring the expression from me.
The appearances included the Christmas parade in Paterson, New Jersey, local circus events and shows at Freedomland U.S.A. in The Bronx.
Other station children's show hosts – Officer Joe Bolton, Captain Jack McCarthy and Chuck McCann – also appeared on the program that was recorded at the popular American history theme park.
[6] Following his work in front of the camera, Britten served as a programming director for WNYC and as a drama teacher at Performing Arts High School in New York City.