Both boys were raised in Studio City, Los Angeles and began acting in film and television in the mid-1950s.

Both were hired to appear on Leave It to Beaver after their mother took them to an open casting call.

[1] Besides appearing on Leave It to Beaver, Fafara appeared in episodes of various television series including Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, Private Secretary, Lassie, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, Make Room for Daddy, The Donna Reed Show, Wagon Train, and My Three Sons.

Fafara returned to acting in 1983 with an appearance as the adult Tooey Brown in the television reunion film Still the Beaver.

He is the father of Dez Fafara, the vocalist of heavy metal bands DevilDriver and Coal Chamber.