This Hinton native graduated from Charleston High in 1952. He started college at Princeton to study medicine but dropped out and joined the Army. While serving in Germany, he discovered a passion for acting.

Chandler trained in New York City and got his first big movie role in The Young Savages. He was known for playing tough or scary characters, with a look that made him perfect for villainous roles. His film credits include Mad Dog Coll, Ride the High Country, The Outlaw Josey Wales, and Adventures in Babysitting. He also appeared in over 100 TV shows such as Gunsmoke, The Rifleman, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Despite often playing mean characters, friends remembered him as kind and upbeat in real life.