Hale's appearance usually landed him roles as either Middle Eastern or Native American characters.

Born in Rogersville, Tennessee, Hale attended Columbia University on a singing scholarship.

[1] Hale's 1921 debut at Aeolian Hall began a successful career in opera as a baritone;[2][3] he toured Europe and the United States.

The 1927 New York Times film review of The Unknown credits "Richard Hale, baritone" as singing "The Pirate's Frolic".

He made four guest appearances on Perry Mason, including murder victim George Lutts in 1957 in the show's third episode, "The Case of the Nervous Accomplice," and general store owner Robert Tepper in the 1960 episode, "The Case of the Violent Village."