His films include On Such a Night (1937) and Guns, Girls, and Gangsters (1959). Richards made three guest appearances on Perry Mason, including the role of murder victim George Sherwin in the 1961 episode, "The Case of the Missing Melody." He also appeared in several episodes of ABC's The Untouchables.
In 1958, he played the gunfighter and saloon owner Luke Short in an episode of the ABC/Desilu western series, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, starring Hugh O'Brian in the title role. Paul Brinegar plays the role of James H. "Dog" Kelley, the mayor of Dodge City in this episode. He died in a car accident in Los Angeles, aged 51.
