Born Dennis Michael Sheffield in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada in 1914. Had one of the longest consistently active careers in Hollywood history, 1916-2000. First role as an actor at the age of 18 months (1916) for The Flying A studio (American Film Manufacturing Company) in Santa Barbara, California. Arrived in what was to become "Hollywood," in late 1916. Joined the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation in late 1916. First "Hollywood" film was Poor Little Rich Girl (1917) starring Mary Pickford. First directed by Cecil B. DeMille in For Better or Worse (1919). Directed by Cecil B. DeMille in King of Kings (1927), an acting career high point. Starred in nearly 50 films from 1916-1929 as a child actor. Worked as a grocery "bag boy" and on a fishing tug hauling bait during The Great Depression. Re-entered the film industry in 1933 as a member of the Property Department's Swing Gang on Cecil B. DeMille's Cleopatra (1934). Became an assistant director in 1949 on the film Rope of Sand starring Burt Lancaster. Was recommended for admittance to the Screen Directors Guild (later the DGA) by Cecil B. DeMille (1949). With brother Pat (as music sound editor), "reunited" with Cecil B. DeMille in the remake of The Ten Commandments (1956), as an assistant director. Worked as an assistant director on five films that were star vehicles for Elvis Presley; directed Elvis Presley in Hal Wallis' Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1965). Helped bring Hollywood second unit on-location action to TV production in series westerns, Hondo and Bonanza (1967). Was second unit director on the Franklin Shaffner directed classic war-epic, Patton (1970). Was second unit director on the George Lucas produced, Steven Spielberg directed Indiana Jones trilogy: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). Was second unit director on the Stephen Herek directed The Mighty Ducks (1992) that launched a real-life professional hockey team. After involvement in nearly 200 productions over his lifetime, "retires" from active second unit directing, at the end of 2000, with the completion of Walt Disney Pictures' 102 Dalmatians (2000). After retirement, wrote and published his memoir My Magic Carpet of Films: A Personal Journey in the Motion Picture Industry 1916-2000 (BearManor Media, 2009). Died March 4, 2013 in Malibu, California at age 98.