- Was a gymnast at North Hollywood High School. A buoyant dancer and tumbler, Tamblyn began acting in films in 1948. His abilities as an acrobat and gymnast led to his being cast in such spectacular and dynamic dance films as Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), Tom Thumb (1958), and West Side Story (1961) among others.
- Originally auditioned for the part of "Tony" in West Side Story (1961), but was cast as "Riff" instead, while the part of "Tony" went to Richard Beymer.
- In 1997, he made a one-shot guest appearance on General Hospital (1963) in a song-and-dance sketch that featured his daughter, Amber Tamblyn.
- Lives in Santa Monica, California and manages daughter Amber's career. (April 2002)
- His standout dance sequence while performing the role of Eric in The Fastest Gun Alive (1956) duplicated some of his dance moves from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) and, in fact, added some athletics that went beyond those original moves.
- Godfather of his daughter Amber Tamblyn is Dean Stockwell.
- Appeared in three episodes of Joan of Arcadia (2003) on which his daughter Amber Tamblyn starred: "Night without Stars", "Do the Math", and "Friday Night".
- Married three times; all his wives were involved in show business. Venetia Stevenson was a film actress, Sheila Elizabeth Kempton (born 1935) was a Vegas showgirl, and present wife, Bonnie Tamblyn, is a folk singer.
- With the death of Jacques d'Amboise on May 3, 2021, he is the last surviving actor to play one of the titular brothers in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954).
- Currently playing "Capt. John Green" in Neil Young's multimedia "Greendale" tour. He is also directing and choreographing the production numbers for the tour. (June 2003)
- Was friends with Dennis Hopper, who introduced him to David Lynch. He expressed an interest in working with Lynch, which led to his role on Twin Peaks (1990).
- Co-starred with Richard Beymer in West Side Story (1961), Scream Free! (1969), and Twin Peaks (1990).
- Has always claimed that his biggest professional disappointment was not getting the title role in the post-Broadway tour of "Barnum". The part went to Tony Orlando, instead.
- Son of Eddie Tamblyn. Brother of Larry Tamblyn of the rock band The Standells. His daughter with third wife Bonnie Tamblyn is Amber Tamblyn.
- Has done art work such as painting, drawing, and creating collages. His "spacescapes" have been displayed at exhibitions at the Los Angeles County Art Museum and the Los Angeles Institute of Contemporary Art.
- He has appeared in four films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Gun Crazy (1950), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), West Side Story (1961) and How the West Was Won (1962).
- Currently writing his autobiography "Dancing On The Edge". (November 2011)
- Appears in six Oscar Best Picture nominees: Father of the Bride (1950), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), Peyton Place (1957), West Side Story (1961), How the West Was Won (1962) and Django Unchained (2012). West Side Story is the only winner.
- Appeared in both Cinerama movies of 1962: The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm (1962) and How the West Was Won (1962).
- Attended North Hollywood High School.
- In July 2006, he was a guest at the Western Film Fair in Charlotte, North Carolina along with Ben Murphy, Roger Davis, Steve Kanaly, Marjorie Lord, Coleen Gray, Mark Goddard, Ronnie Schell, Tom Reese, and Cheryl Rogers.
- Early in his career, he worked with several other actors who would also work with director David Lynch. Dean Stockwell has worked with him several times, the first being in The Boy with Green Hair (1948). In Deep in My Heart (1954), he worked with José Ferrer, who not only appeared in Dune (1984), but was also the father of Twin Peaks (1990) cast member Miguel Ferrer. Also appearing in that film was Ann Miller, who appeared in Mulholland Drive (2001). Peyton Place (1957) featured Hope Lange, who also appeared in Blue Velvet (1986). And, he worked with his own future Twin Peaks cast mate, Richard Beymer, in West Side Story (1961).
- Father of China Tamblyn (member of the Kirby Grips musical group).
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