In addition to acting in all three mediums, Vail also saw success as director on the Broadway stage, as well also being a producer of radio programs.

Born on June 29, 1899, in Denver, Colorado, Vail rose to prominence on the New York stage during the mid-1920s in the drama, Caught.

He produced several shows for NBC, including Cyrano de Bergerac as part of the Great Plays series.

[11] Other shows he would produce for the Great Plays series included Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines,[12] William Tell,[13] and Elizabeth the Queen.

[15] Late in his career, Vail made several appearances on episodic television, including performances on Perry Mason, Father Knows Best and The Donna Reed Show.