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Lon Chaney

File:Lon_Chaney,_Sr._The_Miracle_Man.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

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Lon Chaney

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Also known as Leonidas Frank Chaney, Lon Chaney, Sr., The Man of a Thousand Faces, Leonidas Chaney

American actor (1883–1930)

Film & TV

Acting · Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

Leonidas Frank "Lon" Chaney (April 1, 1883 – August 26, 1930) was an American actor and makeup artist. He is regarded as one of the most versatile and powerful actors of cinema, renowned for his characterizations of tortured, often grotesque and afflicted, characters and for his groundbreaking artistry with makeup. Chaney was known for his starring roles in such silent horror films as The…

Known for

  • They Came from the Attic — The Phantom of the Opera (Archival Footage)2022
  • Monster Madness: The Golden Age of the Horror Film — The Phantom / Quasimodo (archive footage)2014
  • A Messenger from the Shadows (Notes on Film 06 A/Monologue 01)2013
  • Fragments: Surviving Pieces of Lost Films — Himself (archive footage)2011
  • Nadie inquietó más — Various Roles (archive footage)2008
  • Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman — Self (archive footage)2007
  • Bela Lugosi: The Fallen Vampire — Himself (archive footage)2007
  • London After Midnight — Professor Edward C. Burke (archive footage)2002
  • The Many Faces of Dracula — Self (archive footage)2000
  • Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces — Self (archive footage)2000

via TMDB

Music · MusicBrainz

via MusicBrainz · CC0

Listeners · Last.fm

Listeners
399
Total plays
1,063

<a href="https://www.last.fm/music/Lon+Chaney">Read more on Last.fm</a>

via Last.fm · Lon Chaney

Key facts

Born
Leonidas Frank Chaney , ( 1883-04-01 ) April 1, 1883, Colorado Springs, Colorado , U.S.
Died
August 26, 1930 (1930-08-26) (aged 47), Los Angeles, California
Resting place
Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)
Other name
The Man of a Thousand Faces
Occupations
Actor director screenwriter makeup artist
Years active
1902–1930
Spouses
Frances Cleveland ("Cleva") Creighton ​ ​ ( married</span>"}]]}'>m. 1905 ; divorced</span>"}]]}'>div. 1913 ) ​ Hazel Bennett Hastings ​ ​ ( married</span>"}]]}'>m. 1915 ) ​
Children
Lon Chaney Jr. (born Creighton Tull Chaney)
Website
lonchaney .com

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Official website
lonchaney.com
Image
Lon Chaney, Sr. The Miracle Man.jpg
Height
170
Show 8 more facts
Commons category
Lon Chaney
date of birth
1883-04-01
date of death
1930-04-26
Commons gallery
Lon Chaney, Sr.
start of work period
1902-00-00
name in native language
Lon Chaney, Sr.
end of work period
1930-00-00
pseudonym
Alonzo Chaney
Sources (8)

via Wikidata · CC0

~18 min read

Article

Chaney with his personal makeup kit in 1925 Chaney as Erik, the Phantom of the Opera Leonidas Frank "Lon" Chaney (April 1, 1883 – August 26, 1930) was an American actor and makeup artist. He is regarded as one of the most versatile and powerful actors of cinema, renowned for his characterizations of tortured, often grotesque and afflicted, characters and for his groundbreaking artistry with makeup. Chaney was known for his starring roles in such silent horror films as The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) and The Phantom of the Opera (1925). His ability to transform himself using makeup techniques that he developed earned him the nickname "The Man of a Thousand Faces".

As of 2026, all of Chaney's movies are in the public domain and free to watch.

Gallery (13)

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