He began his career in 1950, starring in the film The Sun Sets at Dawn, credited as Philip Shawn.

[6] Other film appearances included Until They Sail (1957), Queen of Outer Space (1958), It Happened at the World's Fair (1963), Good Neighbor Sam (1964), The Silencers (1966), and The Devil's Brigade (1968).

He guest-starred in television programs including 77 Sunset Strip, McHale's Navy, Bat Masterson,[7] Tombstone Territory, 26 Men, Death Valley Days, The Twilight Zone and The Mod Squad.

[4] Waltz married Phyllis Dolores Showalter on September 27, 1941 by the deputy clerk in the office of Summit County, Ohio Probate Judge Dean Fay.

[8] Waltz died on August 13, 1972 "after a long illness" at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, aged 47.