Commenced his five decade career in show business as a radio announcer on "The Colgate Family Hour" and as stage manager on the "I Love Lucy Show.".
Served in World War II in the original Navy Seals unit.
He was the brainchild behind the Broadway sensation, "Sugar Babies", the comeback vehicle for Mickey Rooney in the late 1970s.
He had four children with his wife, Gayle: daughter, Christine; son, William "Bill"; daughter, Jennifer; and son, Norman, Jr.. He also had four grandchildren.
Son of vaudeville and stage actress Olive Victoria Abbott (1895 - 1997).