Murphy was an actor and dancer. Started
his dancing career as a chorus boy on Broadway and around
1927 with his ballroom dance partner and wife Julie Henkel-Johnson.
He eventually signed with Samuel Goldwyn in the 1934 movie
'Kid Millions'. He later danced with Colleen Murphy in the
play 'Good News'.
He became a successful actor after his
wife retired from dancing. Murphy was President of the Screen
Actor's Guild in 1945. he retired from the silver screen
in 1952. In 1964 he would be elected to the senate of California
as Senator Murphy.