Before WWII Sam Gilman was a graduate of Pratt Institute majoring in Fine Art with a minor in Theater. He worked as an Artist, Inker, and Penciller during the Comics Golden Age. He was a Penciller for the premiere issue of Marvel Comics #1. Other titles he worked were: Amazing Man, Masked Marvel, Super Spy, Vapo Man, and Iron Skull. He set aside his art career to fight in the European theatre during WWII as an army staff sergeant in the camouflage core, Northern France Campaign. After returning from the war he returned to start his acting career in NY theater where he met Marlon Brando and Wally Cox. Sam was the elder more established actor when they met and became fast friends for life. Marlon convinced Sam to move to Hollywood, before Wally, and had a non-credited role in The Men.