Drake was born in Brooklyn, New York, and attended Iona Preparatory School and graduated from Mercersburg Academy.\n', '

He was excused from serving in World War II due to heart problems. Despite this limitation, he did act in British training films. \n', '

Billed as Alfred Alderdice, Drake appeared on Broadway in Run Sheep Run (1938) and Clean Beds (1939). After appearing in the film The Howards of Virginia (billed as Richard Alden), he got his break after starring in the 1942 Broadway smash Janie, after which he was signed to a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. He began his film career using the name Richard Alden.\n', '

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