During World War II, Grant was stationed at Fort MacArthur, San Pedro, California, where he worked for the camp newspaper, after having been diverted from the infantry unit that was sent to Anzio Beach in Italy, experiencing a hugh loss of life. At that time he met his future writing partner in comedy, Bob Schiller, who would create "All in the Family" and be a comedy writer in television for "I Love Lucy". They worked together as comedy writers for the radio show "Duffy's Tavern".