The son of actress Lillian Elliott, Corrigan directed films, usually mysteries such as Daughter of the Dragon starring Anna May Wong (one of a trilogy of Fu Manchu movies for which he has writing credits), before dedicating himself more to acting in 1938.

He appeared in the role of Wally Dippel in ABC's The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, in the syndicated crime drama, City Detective, with Rod Cameron, and on the television version of How to Marry a Millionaire, with Barbara Eden and Merry Anders.

He appeared on NBC's Johnny Staccato with John Cassavetes, and the syndicated Western, Man Without a Gun, starring Rex Reason and Mort Mills.

Six times Corrigan portrayed the Western author Ned Buntline in ABC's The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp.

In the story line, three ruthless men try to prevent a peach farmer from getting his crop to market so that he cannot make the last payment on his valuable land, which he will otherwise forfeit.

[12] In 1962, Corrigan played Dorsey Bilger, the bearer of tall tales in Totem, Idaho, in the 1962 episode, "A Sponge Full of Vinegar".

In 1963, Corrigan portrayed Captain Rembrandt Van Creel in "The Day of the Flying Dutchman" on ABC's Western series, The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters, starring child actor Kurt Russell.