Wharton's work was steeped in the classic era of Broadway theatre; he was an aficionado of the stage from his youth, and his practice as a lawyer developed around a series of representations that helped shape the theater business in the United States.
Wharton's second marriage was to Betty Ann Fisher, an actress who performed under the stage name Mary Mason.
Wharton's work in theatrical representations began early in his career with Dwight Deere Wiman, a prominent Broadway producer.
He also became involved in producing theatre as well: along with writers Maxwell Anderson, Elmer Rice, Sidney Howard, Robert E. Sherwood and S.N.
Wharton's work also included non-theatrical clients, such as the interests of the Marshall Fields estates, American Houses, an early housing prefabricator, and Benson and Hedges Ltd. Wharton was an accomplished author, with several titles to his credit, including books on economics ("The Theory and Practice of Making a Living" and "The Road to Recovery") as well as a memoir of his time with the Playwright's Company ("Life Among the Playwrights"), and a novel ("The Explorations of George Burton") that dealt with psychology, an interest of his throughout his career.