 Among other works, he was said to have been especially fascinated by "Pinocchio".In addition to his artistic endeavors, he also did well at athletics, being a member of the collegiate All-American water polo team.He graduated from Townsend Harris High School at 15 but never completed college, though he attended three, spending two years at City College of New York, three years at the National Academy of Design and a mere five days at the Yale School of Fine Arts before dropping out of each.