His family, including brother James, moved to follow his father who was in the Army, and who ultimately retired with the rank of Brigadier General.

Six months later he arrived in Hollywood where he won the role of Captain Henry "Hank" Stanley for the show Emergency!.

Norell commented on the show's writing process, "I would be invited by [executive producer] Bob Cinader to pitch ideas.

His screenwriting credits also include several made-for-TV movies such as Doomsday Rock, Three on a Date, The Covergirl and the Cop, Pals, Barnum, Christmas Comes to Willow Creek, and The Incident for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award.

Norell created and was executive producer for the short-lived Love Boat clone Aloha Paradise.