Tyner's acting career began to take flight in 1959 when he landed a role on Broadway alongside Paul Newman and Geraldine Page in the iconic production of Sweet Bird of Youth. This auspicious debut caught the attention of none other than Paul Newman himself, who was so impressed by Tyner's work that he invited him to join him in Hollywood eight years later.
Tyner's Hollywood debut came in 1967 with a pivotal role as "Boss Higgins", the menacing and sadistic prison camp guard in the highly acclaimed film Cool Hand Luke. This marked the beginning of a trend, as Tyner went on to play a wide range of tough, tight-lipped, and often villainous characters throughout the 1970s.
One of his most memorable roles during this period was that of "Unger", a snitching and murderous trustee, in the prison comedy The Longest Yard, starring Burt Reynolds. However, Tyner also showcased his range by playing a more nuanced character, "Uncle Victor", in the 1971 cult classic Harold and Maude.
After a hiatus from the stage, Tyner returned to the spotlight in 1977, and continued to appear in a mix of film and television projects throughout the 1980s. These included TV movies such as The Incredible Journey of Doctor Meg Laurel, theatrical features like Hamburger: The Motion Picture and Planes, Trains & Automobiles, as well as a recurring role as "Howard Rodman" on the television drama Father Murphy.
