Lon Chaney Jr. -Biography

Lon Chaney Jr.

Biography

Filmography

Television Credits

LON CHANEY JR.

Biography

My grandfather, Lon Chaney, Jr. was born Creighton Tull Chaney on February 10, 1906 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was the son of silent screen star Lon Chaney and Francis Cleveland Creighton (Cleva).

Creighton came into the world prematurely at 7 months on a cold winter day. Young Cleva had a very difficult labor and the baby was born lifeless. After repeated attempts by the doctor to resuscitate the infant, Lon grabbed his son, ran outside and submerged him into the icy waters of Belle Isle Lake reviving the dying infant. Cleva's mother Matilda Creighton (Mattie) a practical nurse in Oklahoma City, assisted the doctor through the birth and helped nurse the infant back to health. Out of necessity, his father created an incubator from a shoe-box lined with cotton and holes punched in it for air and warmth.

By the age of 6 months, little Creighton made his first appearance in show business being used as a prop in one of his fathers stage acts. As a baby and young boy, he traveled with his parents by train in barnstorming vaudeville shows. Often these troupes went broke on the road leaving the family stranded in various parts of America and Canada.

Bouncing around the country with his parents, he would sometimes stay with his grandmother Matilda Creighton in Oklahoma and with his deaf grandparents Frank and Emma Chaney in Colorado Springs, Co. where he further learned to finger talk (sign language) from them and later with Lon's sister Caroline (Carrie) Keys in San Francisco, Ca.

His parents marriage was often tempestuous, and jealousies arose. A distraught Cleva made a vain attempt at suicide while Lon was working at The Majestic Theater in Los Angeles on April 30, 1913. Shortly after, they we're separated and eventually divorced in 1915. Creighton was placed in a home for children of divorce and disaster.

Unable to find work on stage, Lon turned to motion pictures and by late 1913 was working steadily at Universal Film Manufacturing Company to secure steady income and a permanent home for his son.

In 1915 Lon remarried and wed Hazel Hastings, an acquaintance and former chorus girl with Kolb and Dill (a popular stage troupe of the day). Years earlier, Hazel had helped take care of Creighton backstage while Lon was performing.

Creighton attended Los Feliz grammar school in Hollywood and in the seventh grade won a pantomime contest in which he played the role of the "Prince" in "The Princess and the Pea".

Growing up, he often observed his father creating character make-ups developed at home. Creighton watched his father ascend from a struggling vaudevillian to the number one box office attraction in the world by 1927. In the span of two decades, the Chaney's live's changed dramatically, from stranded road shows without money, fighting hunger and cold, to wealth, success and fame.

As a young man, a life in motion pictures was discouraged by his father who preferred to have Creighton in a more stable business. He worked as a newsboy, butcher boy, ice man, clothing salesman, model, plumber's helper and boiler maker. The work ethic was strongly enforced in the Chaney household. Lon had not forgotten the hard times and Creighton was not going to be spoiled by success.

In 1926, he married Dorothy Hinckley and had two sons, Lon Ralph Chaney born July 3, 1928 and Ronald Creighton Chaney born March 18, 1930. Creighton went to work for his father-in- law at General Water Heater Co and eventually became a secretary of the firm.

In 1930, his father became very ill and on August 26, 1930 died from a throat hemorrhage. Following the death of his father, Creighton's subconscious desire and eagerness to act had begun. In late 1931 he met a casting director by the name of Rex Bailey who wanted to bill him as Lon Chaney, Jr. and broached this idea to David Selznik of RKO Radio Pictures. They sought to sign him to a long term contract under one condition, that Creighton change his name for which he refused. His film debut was stalled by this refusal as he wanted to "learn the business and see what he was worth as himself, and not the son of a great actor". He stated "there never was but one Lon Chaney" and knew that the comparisons to his father would be inevitable.

He continued to hold out from signing with other studios who we're making the same requests but eventually signed with RKO Pictures in March of 1932 as Creighton Chaney. He made his screen debut as a extra in "Girl Crazy" in which he was so scared he hid in the background. For several years he learned and developed his craft, even taking acting lessons, doing stunt work, bit parts and working under several different names.

In 1935, with continued persistence from the studios, he changed his name to Lon Chaney, Jr.stating "I tried for three years to make a go of things without capitalizing upon dad's name, but the cards have been stacked against me. If I had only myself to think of, I would battle it out to the end. But I'm getting older every year and I don't think it's right to make my family suffer just so I can fight for a principal". He also commented later "They expected me to know immediately what it took my father 20 years to learn", but with the name change came more opportunities.

In 1936-37 he met a young starlet and model by the name of Patricia Beck and fell in love with her, thus putting an end to his ten year marriage with Dorothy Chaney.

In the divorce settlement, Lon left everything to Dorothy and the boys. Once again, times were difficult. No doubt his father knew the pitfalls of such a demanding industry and the temptations that went with it.

Lon loved Patsy and they were married October 1, 1937 in a private ceremony and remained together until his death. Career wise, he signed a contract with Fox Studios in 1937 and kept busy working the next 3 years in over 30 films.

The turning point of his career came in 1939 when he auditioned and won the role as Lennie in John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" for the West coast production of this Broadway play.

His performance as Lennie on stage was so convincing, it enabled him to secure the film role in Hal Roach's production of "Of Mice and Men" produced and directed by Lewis Milestone, earning Lon Chaney, Jr. the New York's Critics Choice Award. Following this film, he starred in another Hal Roach production titled " One Million B.C." in which he developed his own makeup, but was unable to use it due to union regulations.

The success of these films and the Chaney name, prompted Universal Studios to sign him to a contract in 1941. Where he would do his first monster film "Man Made Monster" along with several westerns and a comedy. But in late 1941, he starred as Lawrence Talbot and created his so called baby "The Wolf Man" .

So successful was this film, and reprisals of other classic monster characters, Universal tabbed him "The Screens Master Character Creator" for playing Frankenstein's monster in "Ghost of Frankenstein" (1942), Kharis the mummy in "The Mummy's Tomb"(1942), "The Mummy's Curse"(1944), "The Mummy's Ghost" (1944), and Dracula in "Son of Dracula" (1943). He would portray "The Wolf Man" another four times in for Universal in "Frankenstein meets the Wolf Man" (1943), "House of Frankenstein" (1944), "House of Dracula" (1945), and "Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein" in (1948).

It was for this role as "The Wolf Man" which my grandfather is best known and remembered. He was the only actor ever to play Lawrence Talbot the unfortunate victim of lycanthropy in "The Wolf Man" series. After his contract with Universal ended, he continued to work as an independent actor, continuing a career which included over 150 plus film credits and 60 television appearances, a body of work matched by very few.

He also returned to the stage several times throughout his career playing Harry Brock in Garson Kanin's "Born Yesterday" on the NY's subway circuit and traveling road show in 1948-49 and again as Lennie in various stage productions "Of Mice and Men" in California , New Mexico and Canada.

He had many hobbies such as fishing, hunting, wrestling, cooking and telling stories. He is often remembered for his easy going style and professionalism.

By the late 1950's and early 1960's, his work in the Universal horror classic films of the 1940's were being re-discovered by new generations through late night horror shows and through a magazine called Famous Monsters of Filmland published by James Warren, written and edited by Forrest J.Ackerman. These forms of media brought new legions of fans.

His body of work and personage have been kept alive through his work in film, television, books, magazines, toys, videos and by his fans. Many new artists including current directors, producers, and actors continue to be inspired and influenced by his work.

My grandfather died on July 12, 1973 in San Clemente, California of a heart attack after many years of poor health. As requested, his body was donated to USC for research with hope of helping others. It was a very sad day for all of his many friends and fans, but especially for us his family, who loved him dearly, not as Lon Chaney the actor or "The Wolf Man" but for being "Gramps" and for loving us.

Chaney Entertainment Home page

My grandfather, Lon Chaney, Jr. was born Creighton Tull Chaney on February 10, 1906 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was the son of silent screen star Lon Chaney and Francis Cleveland Creighton (Cleva). Creighton came into the world prematurely at 7 months on a cold winter day. Young Cleva had a very difficult labor and the baby was born lifeless. After repeated attempts by the doctor to resuscitate the infant, Lon grabbed his son, ran outside and submerged him into the icy waters of Belle Isle Lake reviving the dying infant. Cleva's mother Matilda Creighton (Mattie) a practical nurse in Oklahoma City, assisted the doctor through the birth and helped nurse the infant back to health. Out of necessity, his father created an incubator from a shoe-box lined with cotton and holes punched in it for air and warmth. By the age of 6 months, little Creighton made his first appearance in show business being used as a prop in one of his fathers stage acts. As a baby and young boy, he traveled with his parents by train in barnstorming vaudeville shows. Often these troupes went broke on the road leaving the family stranded in various parts of America and Canada.
Bouncing around the country with his parents, he would sometimes stay with his grandmother Matilda Creighton in Oklahoma and with his deaf grandparents Frank and Emma Chaney in Colorado Springs, Co. where he further learned to finger talk (sign language) from them and later with Lon's sister Caroline (Carrie) Keys in San Francisco, Ca. His parents marriage was often tempestuous, and jealousies arose. A distraught Cleva made a vain attempt at suicide while Lon was working at The Majestic Theater in Los Angeles on April 30, 1913. Shortly after, they we're separated and eventually divorced in 1915. Creighton was placed in a home for children of divorce and disaster. Unable to find work on stage, Lon turned to motion pictures and by late 1913 was working steadily at Universal Film Manufacturing Company to secure steady income and a permanent home for his son.
In 1915 Lon remarried and wed Hazel Hastings, an acquaintance and former chorus girl with Kolb and Dill (a popular stage troupe of the day). Years earlier, Hazel had helped take care of Creighton backstage while Lon was performing. Creighton attended Los Feliz grammar school in Hollywood and in the seventh grade won a pantomime contest in which he played the role of the "Prince" in "The Princess and the Pea". Growing up, he often observed his father creating character make-ups developed at home. Creighton watched his father ascend from a struggling vaudevillian to the number one box office attraction in the world by 1927. In the span of two decades, the Chaney's live's changed dramatically, from stranded road shows without money, fighting hunger and cold, to wealth, success and fame.
	As a young man, a life in motion pictures was discouraged by his father who preferred to have Creighton in a more stable business. He worked as a newsboy, butcher boy, ice man, clothing salesman, model, plumber's helper and boiler maker. The work ethic was strongly enforced in the Chaney household. Lon had not forgotten the hard times and Creighton was not going to be spoiled by success. In 1926, he married Dorothy Hinckley and had two sons, Lon Ralph Chaney born July 3, 1928 and Ronald Creighton Chaney born March 18, 1930. Creighton went to work for his father-in- law at General Water Heater Co and eventually became a secretary of the firm.
In 1930, his father became very ill and on August 26, 1930 died from a throat hemorrhage. Following the death of his father, Creighton's subconscious desire and eagerness to act had begun. In late 1931 he met a casting director by the name of Rex Bailey who wanted to bill him as Lon Chaney, Jr. and broached this idea to David Selznik of RKO Radio Pictures. They sought to sign him to a long term contract under one condition, that Creighton change his name for which he refused. His film debut was stalled by this refusal as he wanted to "learn the business and see what he was worth as himself, and not the son of a great actor". He stated "there never was but one Lon Chaney" and knew that the comparisons to his father would be inevitable. He continued to hold out from signing with other studios who we're making the same requests but eventually signed with RKO Pictures in March of 1932 as Creighton Chaney. He made his screen debut as a extra in "Girl Crazy" in which he was so scared he hid in the background. For several years he learned and developed his craft, even taking acting lessons, doing stunt work, bit parts and working under several different names.
In 1935, with continued persistence from the studios, he changed his name to Lon Chaney, Jr.stating "I tried for three years to make a go of things without capitalizing upon dad's name, but the cards have been stacked against me. If I had only myself to think of, I would battle it out to the end. But I'm getting older every year and I don't think it's right to make my family suffer just so I can fight for a principal". He also commented later "They expected me to know immediately what it took my father 20 years to learn", but with the name change came more opportunities. In 1936-37 he met a young starlet and model by the name of Patricia Beck and fell in love with her, thus putting an end to his ten year marriage with Dorothy Chaney. In the divorce settlement, Lon left everything to Dorothy and the boys. Once again, times were difficult. No doubt his father knew the pitfalls of such a demanding industry and the temptations that went with it. Lon loved Patsy and they were married October 1, 1937 in a private ceremony and remained together until his death. Career wise, he signed a contract with Fox Studios in 1937 and kept busy working the next 3 years in over 30 films. The turning point of his career came in 1939 when he auditioned and won the role as Lennie in John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" for the West coast production of this Broadway play.
His performance as Lennie on stage was so convincing, it enabled him to secure the film role in Hal Roach's production of "Of Mice and Men" produced and directed by Lewis Milestone, earning Lon Chaney, Jr. the New York's Critics Choice Award. Following this film, he starred in another Hal Roach production titled " One Million B.C." in which he developed his own makeup, but was unable to use it due to union regulations. The success of these films and the Chaney name, prompted Universal Studios to sign him to a contract in 1941. Where he would do his first monster film "Man Made Monster" along with several westerns and a comedy. But in late 1941, he starred as Lawrence Talbot and created his so called baby "The Wolf Man" .

So successful was this film, and reprisals of other classic monster characters, Universal tabbed him "The Screens Master Character Creator" for playing Frankenstein's monster in "Ghost of Frankenstein" (1942), Kharis the mummy in "The Mummy's Tomb"(1942), "The Mummy's Curse"(1944), "The Mummy's Ghost" (1944), and Dracula in "Son of Dracula" (1943). He would portray "The Wolf Man" another four times in for Universal in "Frankenstein meets the Wolf Man" (1943), "House of Frankenstein" (1944), "House of Dracula" (1945), and "Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein" in (1948). It was for this role as "The Wolf Man" which my grandfather is best known and remembered. He was the only actor ever to play Lawrence Talbot the unfortunate victim of lycanthropy in "The Wolf Man" series. After his contract with Universal ended, he continued to work as an independent actor, continuing a career which included over 150 plus film credits and 60 television appearances, a body of work matched by very few. He also returned to the stage several times throughout his career playing Harry Brock in Garson Kanin's "Born Yesterday" on the NY's subway circuit and traveling road show in 1948-49 and again as Lennie in various stage productions "Of Mice and Men" in California , New Mexico and Canada. He had many hobbies such as fishing, hunting, wrestling, cooking and telling stories. He is often remembered for his easy going style and professionalism. By the late 1950's and early 1960's, his work in the Universal horror classic films of the 1940's were being re-discovered by new generations through late night horror shows and through a magazine called Famous Monsters of Filmland published by James Warren, written and edited by Forrest J.Ackerman. These forms of media brought new legions of fans. His body of work and personage have been kept alive through his work in film, television, books, magazines, toys, videos and by his fans. Many new artists including current directors, producers, and actors continue to be inspired and influenced by his work. My grandfather died on July 12, 1973 in San Clemente, California of a heart attack after many years of poor health. As requested, his body was donated to USC for research with hope of helping others. It was a very sad day for all of his many friends and fans, but especially for us his family, who loved him dearly, not as Lon Chaney the actor or "The Wolf Man" but for being "Gramps" and for loving us.