Before becoming a busy character actor on stage, films, and radio, he was a star bass-baritone with the Metropolitan Opera Company between 1910 and 1918. Although his most frequent role was as the King in Verdi's "Aida", the majority of his roles were in the German repertory, particularly the operas of Richard Wagner. As a voice teacher and coach, his students included Lawrence Tibbett.

Was a radio announcer in the 1930s. Moved to Hollywood after the war to play magistrates, barristers and senior officers on screen.

His name was changed officially from Basil Spaulding Millspaugh to Basil Ruysdael on February 8, 1915.