Trivia

Although also a prolific writer himself, he served as a front for friends and other writers who had been blacklisted during the McCarthy era. Living in Paris during the blacklist days, his basement was often filled with blacklisted writers working in cubicles, churning out screenplays.

He was, unusually, not included in the Memoriam Tribute at the 76th Annual Academy Awards, despite being a three-time nominee and receiving the Best Writing Oscar in 1954 for Broken Lance (1954).

Born to Polish immigrants, he earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Illinois and a law degree at Kent College of Law in Chicago.

Father of actress Phyllis Yordan and actor/dancer Byron Yordan (adopted).

Grandfather of director producer Spencer McAndrew.