Began his writing career as a drama critic for the Minneapolis Daily News.
Suffered his first stroke on August 14th, 1945 (VJ Day) and spent the next year or so in the hospital. Was recuperating in Gainesville when he suffered a second stroke and soon died.
Had hoped to finish his play "Foreign Fancy Woman" while in Gainesville.
Actress Madame Barry-Orlova, who had known Colton for 25 years and had acted in many of his plays, was at his bedside when he died.