In 1963–64, Witney's first screen-acting role was a recurring part as the first wagon master, Buck Coulter, in the first 14 episodes of the ABC Western television series The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters.

He was cast as Wild Bill Hickok in the 1965 episode, "No Gun Behind His Badge", of the syndicated anthology series, Death Valley Days, with host Ronald Reagan playing Thomas J.

Witney portrayed pioneer Peter Lassen in a 1968 Death Valley Days episode, "The Other Side of the Mountain", hosted by Robert Taylor.

He also appeared in NBC's Star Trek episode "A Private Little War", playing Tyree, a friend of Kirk from years earlier and current leader of a band of Hill People.

[citation needed] Before his move to Los Angeles to pursue acting, Witney was a minor league pitcher for the Hornell Dodgers and the Great Falls Electrics.