In the late 1960s/early 1970s he was well known to British TV viewers for his portrayal of chief accountant Willy Izard, the "conscience" to hard-nosed oil company industrialist Brian Stead (played by Geoffrey Keen) in the BBC series The Troubleshooters (1965–72). Other credits Danger Man (1960-1962), Jesus of Nazareth, Paul of Tarsus, The Treasure Seekers, The Avengers, The Cedar Tree, UFO, The Saint, Maigret, Sergeant Cork, Justice, Love Story, Killers, Hammer House of Horror, No. 10, Nanny and The Professionals.

One of his most famous film roles was as Dracula's sinister servant Klove in Hammer's 1966 film Dracula, Prince of Darkness, and he had previously worked for Hammer in The Devil-Ship Pirates and The Secret of Blood Island (both 1964). His other film roles included appearances in Ring of Spies (1964), Spy Story (1976) and Force 10 from Navarone (1978). On television he played the joint-lead role of Plantagenet Palliser (opposite Susan Hampshire) in the 26-part BBC series The Pallisers. He also played Lord President Borusa in the 1983 20th anniversary episode of Doctor Who, The Five Doctors.