He moved to Los Angeles, California, in the late 1930s with the intention of establishing a film career, changing his name to read Buetel.

[citation needed] Buetel was signed to a standard seven-year contract at $150 per week and was assured by Hughes that he would become a major star.

It was notable for suggesting the act of sexual intercourse, uncommon in mainstream movies of the era, and for allowing characters to "sin on film", without a suitable punishment also being depicted, in violation of the Production Code.

In 1956, he landed the role of Jeff Taggert in Edgar Buchanan's syndicated western series, Judge Roy Bean.

Others who appeared regularly in the 39-episode color series, set in Langtry, Texas, were Jackie Loughery, X Brands, Tristram Coffin, Glenn Strange, and Lash LaRue.