Lon Chaney

"I could talk on my fingers, but as I grew older, found it unnecessary. We conversed with our faces, with our eyes". 

Lon Chaney was born April 1, 1883 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was the son of deaf-mute parents, Frank and Emma Chaney. From a young age, he honed his ability to communicate through pantomime, sign language, and facial expressions. This skill ultimately propelled him to become one of the greatest actors of all time.

Lon endured a challenging life on the road, facing financial struggles and limited success. However, amidst his travels, he crossed paths with Cleva Creighton, who would ultimately capture his heart. Together, they welcomed a child into the world in February of 1906 - Creighton Tull Chaney. As their wanderlust grew, Lon and Cleva embarked on a journey of touring, bringing young Creighton along for the ride. Their nomadic lifestyle was filled with adventure and uncertainty, but their bond remained unbreakable.

In 1910, they made their grand entrance into California, where Lon quickly secured steady employment. He dazzled audiences as a stage manager, choreographer, and actor, while Cleva captivated crowds with her enchanting voice in Cabaret shows. However, behind the glitz and glamour, their once blissful marriage began to crumble under the weight of grueling work schedules, financial strain, and jealousy.

In April of 1913, amidst ongoing disputes, Cleva made a fateful decision to confront Lon at the Majestic Theater. In a desperate and tragic act, she ingested a vial of poison, sealing her fate. The toxic substance ravaged her vocal cords, bringing a sudden and devastating halt to both her illustrious career and her marriage to Lon.

The public scandal dealt a devastating blow to Lon's stage career, leaving him with no choice but to find new opportunities. In a stroke of fate, he ventured into the world of silent films. Little did he know, this decision would mark the beginning of an unparalleled acting legacy in film history. From 1913 to 1930, Lon portrayed over 150 characters, each more diverse and complex than the last. His roles ranged from villainous to bizarre and macabre, yet always managed to evoke a sense of pathos and emotion in the audience.

Lon endured great suffering to fully embody the characters he portrayed. In 1920, for his role in "The Penalty," he had his legs tightly bound behind him in a harness, forcing his knees into leather stumps designed to look like artificial legs, with his feet bound at the thighs. This excruciating experience cut off circulation to his legs, causing broken vessels.

Then, in 1923, for his role in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," Lon created a hump and harness that weighed over 50 pounds. He twisted his torso to physically feel the pain of Quasimodo. Despite the immense physical strain, Lon delivered an exceptional performance that catapulted him worldwide fame. His dedication to his craft knew no bounds, and his commitment to his roles was truly awe-inspiring.

In 1925, Lon Chaney revolutionized the world of film with his iconic makeup that immortalized him as "Erik," the tormented opera ghost in "The Phantom of the Opera." His talent for embodying a multitude of characters earned him the title of "The Man of a Thousand Faces."

In 1930, he starred in his sole talking film, a remake of the 1925 classic "The Unholy Three." Portraying Echo, a cunning ventriloquist, he showcased his versatility by utilizing five distinct voices throughout the movie. This performance solidified his ability to seamlessly transition from silent films to the era of talkies. Tragically, less than two months following the film's debut on August 26, 1930, he succumbed to a fatal throat hemorrhage. His untimely demise marked the end of a promising career, leaving behind a legacy of talent and potential unfulfilled.

MGM Studios was commanded to halt production and honor a moment of silence as Lon's remains were laid to rest. The entire world grieved his departure, mourning the loss of one of cinema's most extraordinary and revered actors.

Lon was a true original, leaving an indelible mark on an industry that will forever feel his absence. The characters he brought to life and the transformative makeup he crafted continue to serve as a wellspring of inspiration for artists of today. Lon Chaney's legacy will endure, a testament to his exceptional talent and enduring impact on the world of film and make-up.