Born in Fresno, California. Stage actor and playwright turned screenwriter, responsible for such fine thrillers as Cat People and The Seventh Victim; Bodeen also won praise for the highly regarded drama I Remember Mama, which he adapted from the play by John Van Druten.

Bodeen frequently wrote on film, contributing to journals and penning several books including From Hollywood, an examination of the William Desmond Taylor murder case. He died in Woodland Hills, California.