His first acting role was in the television series Meet Corliss Archer (1954) and his career ended with the film Billionaire Boys Club (1987).

[1] In 1956, he performed in Calder Willingham's play End as a Man at the Players Ring Gallery in West Hollywood.

His television credits include Father Knows Best (1956), The Ford Television Theatre (1956–57), The George Sanders Mystery Theater (1957), State Trooper (1958), Dr. Kildare (1963), The Twilight Zone (1959–63), Dragnet (1969–70), Harry O (1973–74).

Launer, who had been riding inside the stagecoach, received lacerations, while another actor, Bert Spencer, was harmed to the point that one of his legs required amputation.

[3] His most famous role was his nine years as a criminal court judge on Perry Mason.