Born in New York City, Fields began his career as an actor, then graduated to choreography and stage direction before turning to writing.

He attended Columbia University, where he participated in two Varsity Shows, including Fly With Me (1920), written by Rodgers and Hart.

George Gershwin once wrote a letter to his brother Ira in which he mentions that he attended a party in NY and that “Herbie Fields was there with his (male) sweetheart”.

And author Frederick Nolan tells us that, “Herb was part of the gay scene, but also always maintained the fiction of straightness.

He had a string of statuesque chorus girls for whom he bought immensely ostentatious mink coats.”