Born Stephen Fitch in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Douglass had a distinguished theatrical career and appeared occasionally on television.
He was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actor for his performance as Joe Hardy in Damn Yankees, and he originated the role of Ulysses in Jerome Moross and John Latouche's The Golden Apple.
He retired to England in 1972, but continued working in musicals, most notably as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof.
[1] In addition to his work in musical theatre, Douglass also occasionally sang roles in operas.
In 1960, he portrayed Olin Blitch in the Philadelphia Lyric Opera Company's production of Carlisle Floyd's Susannah, with Phyllis Curtin in the title role and Richard Cassilly as Sam Polk.