[2] While attending Culver-Stockton College, he was an active member of Mu Theta Nu Fraternity.
In 1979, Forsythe won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor (Musical) for his work in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
He also appeared as Andrew Jorgensen in the off-broadway play Other People's Money.
Forsythe married actress Dorothea Maria Carlson on May 26, 1942 (d. November, 2010).
They had two sons, Eric, a professor at The University of Iowa and Jason, a writer.