 Some of his early acting experience came at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia.Gates had a long career in film, television, and theater.He appeared in the Broadway productions of "First Monday in October" (1978), "The Highest Tree" (1959), "The Carefree Tree" (1955), "The Taming of the Shrew" (1950)", The Teahouse of the August Moon" (1953) "Bell, Book and Candle" (1956) and "A Case of Libel" (1964).