[citation needed] He portrayed Melvin Castleberry on the children's program Billy and Betty,[3]: 42  and Philip Cameron on the serial Against the Storm[3] and was a host on radio's version of The United States Steel Hour.

Reid's best-known film role was as Ernie Malone, private detective hired to spy on Marilyn Monroe's character, only to become Jane Russell's love interest, in the 20th Century Fox classic Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953).

Also in 1963, Reid appeared in the comedy The Wheeler Dealers starring James Garner and Lee Remick, with Pat Crowley in a supporting role.

[6] He also made guest appearances on Murder, She Wrote, The Odd Couple, I Love Lucy, It's Always Jan, Barney Miller, Small Wonder, Perry Mason, and The Munsters.

"[8] Reid's Broadway credits include Julius Caesar (1937–1938), The Shoemaker's Holiday (1938), Macbeth (1948), Two Blind Mice (1949), The Live Wire (1950), Two on the Aisle (1951–1952), and From A to Z (1960).

His nephew stated that Reid had been residing in an assisted living facility in Studio City, California, for several years prior to his death.