[2] In 1920, he made his theatrical debut as Venustiano in The Bad Man.

Bell's first film role was in I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang in 1932.

He appeared in the films I Walked with a Zombie and The Leopard Man, both of which were directed by Jacques Tourneur, produced by Val Lewton, and released in 1943.

Among his television appearances were four guest roles on the legal drama series Perry Mason.

That same year, Bell appeared as Dr. Malcolm Allen in the Western TV series Laramie, in the episode "Street of Hate".