Lon Chaney

Lon Chaney Historical Figure Nationality: United States Year of Birth: 1883 Year of Death: 1930 Cause of Death: Cancer Occupation: Actor, screenwriter Spouse: Cleva Creighton (divorced 1915); Hazel Hastings Children: Creighton Chaney (aka Lon Chaney, Jr.) Fictional Appearances: Southern Victory POD: September 10, 1862 Appearance(s): The Grapple Type of Appearance: Posthumous(?) reference

Leonidas Frank "Lon" Chaney (April 1, 1883 – August 26, 1930), nicknamed "The Man of a Thousand Faces," was an American actor during the age of silent films. He was one of the most versatile and powerful actors of early cinema. He is best remembered for his characterizations of tortured, often grotesque and afflicted characters, and his groundbreaking artistry with film makeup. His most famous roles include Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Erik, the eponymous Phantom of the Opera.

Chaney died of lung cancer. His son Creighton followed in his father's footsteps, billing himself as "Lon Chaney" or "Lon Chaney, Jr."

Chaney in costume for his most famous role, the Phantom of the Opera (or the Phantom of the Catacombs, depending on the timeline).

Lon Chaney in Southern Victory

Lon Chaney played the title role in the silent horror film classic Phantom of the Catacombs. During the Second Great War, Leonard O'Doull and Vince Donofrio reflected on the film while operating on an injured soldier who had suffered minor facial burns. O'Doull suggested that a talking version should be made, but Donofrio suggested that any new actor who took the role would be compared unfavorably to Chaney.