Born in Queens, New York, Swanson graduated from Long Island University (then C.W.
Post College), in Long Island, New York, with a bachelor's degree in English Literature.
He soon then began studying under renowned acting coaches Elia Kazan and Lee Strasberg at The Actors Studio in New York City, where he is presently a lifetime member.
[1] Swanson kickstarted his acting career in the films Vice Squad (1982) with Season Hubley and Making Love (1982) with Kate Jackson, Harry Hamlin and Michael Ontkean.
[1] After briefly working as a high diver for the Atlantic City Steel Pier, Swanson began in television around the start of his acting career with a role on the NBC-TV soap opera series Somerset in 1974, where he appeared as Dr. Greg Mercer for three seasons.