He is best known as an original cast member of CBS prime time soap opera Knots Landing and played the role of Kenny Ward during seasons one through four (1979–1983).

He began his acting career with appearances in the television shows Man With A Camera, The Twilight Zone, and McKeever & the Colonel.

He was an original cast member of CBS daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless where he played Greg Foster from 1973 to 1976.

[1][2] His most prominent role is that of Kenny Ward, Kim Lankford's character's husband, on the long-running CBS prime time soap opera Knots Landing from 1979 to 1983.

Houghton has appeared in a number of films, including, Sweet Sugar (1972), One on One (1977), I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978), More American Graffiti (1979), Superstition (1982) and Purple People Eater (1988).