As an actor, he was best known for his co-starring role in the critically lauded film Detour, for having a widely publicized affair with actress Barbara Payton.

He attended Lake Forest Academy and Evanston Township High School before enrolling at Northwestern University where he majored in mathematics.

[3] During college, Neal played several sports and, for a time, competed in amateur boxing matches.

Perhaps his most memorable role was that of Al Roberts in the classic film noir Detour alongside Ann Savage.

[4] In 1935, at the age of 21, Neal made headlines for announcing his engagement to marry 32-year-old Inez Norton, the ex-Follies girl and former girlfriend of slain gangster Arnold Rothstein.

The two began dating, but Payton ended the relationship after meeting and becoming engaged to actor Franchot Tone.

Tone suffered severe injuries, including a smashed cheekbone, a broken nose, and a brain concussion, for which he was hospitalized.

Neal and Payton attempted to capitalize on the interest in their relationship by starring together in the low-budget Western The Great Jesse James Raid in 1953.

[17] In June 1953, Neal and Payton accepted an offer to star in the touring production of The Postman Always Rings Twice.

[20] They discovered Bennett's body on the couch, partially covered by a blanket, with a gunshot wound in the back of her head.

He testified that on April 1, he had returned to the couple's Palm Springs home from Chicago, where he had been living, to see if a reconciliation was possible.

Although prosecutors sought the death penalty, a jury convicted Neal of involuntary manslaughter on November 18, 1965.

On August 7, 1972, Neal was found dead in his bed by his son at his home in North Hollywood, California.