Heavy-set character actor, mostly in horror films or westerns whose most famous role was as "The Wolf Man" in numerous films. Chaney also appeared out of monster makeup in support of Bob Hope in "My Favorite Brunette" (1947), and as the arthritic marshall in "High Noon" (1952), but his finest starring role was as the slow-witted Lennie in Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" (1939).
- Also Credited As:
Creighton Chaney, Creighton Tull Chaney
- Born:
February 10, 1906 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Died:
July 12, 1973.
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Job Titles:
Actor, Boilermaker, Butcher boy, Fruit picker, Plumber
Family
Milestones
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1932 Film debut in serial, "The Last Frontier" and feature, "Girl Crazy"
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1935 First billed as Lon Chaney, Jr.
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1939 Major film breakthrough when he recreated his stage role of Lennie in a fine screen adaptation of John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men"
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1941 First starring roles in horror films, "Man Made Monster" and "The Wolf Man"; the latter marked the first of several times he played the cursed Lawrence Talbot
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Joined stock companies in the Middle West and played bit parts in film as Creighton Chaney
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Made first stage appearance at age of six months
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Worked as butcher boy, boilermaker, plumber and fruit picker before begining his acting career