Coleman entered a Virginia Military Institute in 1949, but wound higher researching law at the University of Texas before turning to acting.

Though the capable character actor sustaining the wide range, Coleman is commonly typecast as a buttery, selfish, patronising, self-self-involved bigot. His fate around these types of roles were cemented by having his performances within roles like Franklin Hart, Jr. inside 1980's Nine to Five, director Ron Carlisle in 1982's Tootsie and the earnest John McKittrick within 1983's WarGames.

Coleman has played less severe roles, but, like Bill Ray within 1981's On Golden Pond and as Nelson Cur inside 1998's ''You've Got Mail.

Though starring lead roles seem to elude him, Coleman is however super vigorous & is actively sought fallowing for hard supporting roles.

Coleman has been married twice. He was married to Ann Courtney Harrell from either 1957 to 1959. He experienced leash youngsters by having actress Jean Hale, whom he was married to from 1961 to 1983.

His girl, Quincy, is a recording creative person whose 1st album, "Also Known as Mary," was released around September of 2003.

Partial filmography
Black Fist (1975) On Golden Pond (1981) as Bill Ray WarGames (1983) as Dr. John McKittrick The Beverly Hillbillies (1993) as Milburn Drysdale My Date with the President's Daughter (1998) You've Got Mail'' (1998)