His grandson, Charley Aurthur, committed suicide in 1996 at the age of
23, and his son, Jonathan Aurthur, committed suicide in 2004 at the age
of 56.
Initally studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. His career plans changed due to the outbreak of World War II during which he served as a Marine combat correspondent.
In addition to writing for the screen, he penned magazine articles on jazz, short stories and regular columns for Esquire Magazine (1971 to 1975).
At one point he was Vice President of Television Production for United Artists.
Vice president of Talent Associates, 1961-1962. Vice president for United Artists Television, 1963-1964.