A visit to Hollywood and a screen test arranged by Warner Baxter (a friend of North's father) led to his being cast in The Bride Wore Crutches.
He said that he chose acting over being an attorney because "I saw so many young lawyers working for a dollar a day.
"[3] North gained early acting experience in some of his father's stock productions.
North's acting career was interrupted by three years' service in the Navy during World War II.
[1] After North left acting, he became an agent for entertainers, including Red Skelton, Milburn Stone, and Amanda Blake.