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Lon Chaney JR is known as “Wolf Man” he was born on 10th February 1906. Belonging to an artist family, he also became a leading star of horror, monster and science fiction movies. His father was the famous actor Lon Chaney and his mother Creighton Chaney was a theater singer. Lon Chaney JR was raised by his father after the scandalous divorce of his parents. He studied in boarding schools till his father married second time to Hazel Hastings. Lon Chaney his father did not want him to come to show business.

Lon Chaney JR was sent to study for Business Administration. His personal life was tormented by the loss of maternal love. He was not given the chance to meet his real mother, and was told that she had died. After his father’s death in 1930 he came to know that she lived. His father used to criticize his height by saying that he was too tall for Show Business. His first wish was to become a song writer. Released in 1939 his favorite role was as Lonnie Small, in “Of Mice and Men”.

Lon Chaney JR started his acting career after his father’s tragic death. His first film was Girl Crazy, which was released in 1932. He was one of leading choice for the remake of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, but he failed to secure the role. Television gave him work; Lon Chaney JR appeared as mummy and wolf man in Route 66. He was recognized as an excellent actor in his role in film Of Mice and Men. Wolf man was his most admired role. Lon Chaney JR was asked to play it over and over in many of his later movies. This was repeated again in film “Frankenstein meets the wolf man”.

The other films with similar role are “House of Frankenstein” and “Dracula and Frankenstein’s Monster”. After successfully playing Vampire, Mummy, and son of Dracula, Lon Chaney JR was given a chance to play western hero on television in drama Overland Mail. He also worked in the psychological dramatization in role of Inner Sanctum for radio. Lon Chaney JR’s contract was ended with Universal, and he worked for other 30 low budget films. He acted in westerns High Noon and The Defiant One.

His work in 1960s included Tales of Tomorrow, Hawkeye and The Last Mohicans. At this time in his life; Lon Chaney JR was struggling with smoking and alcoholism. So he accepted many small roles in the films just to survive. These supporting roles were in movies such as The Haunted Palace, Welcome to Hard Times, Hillbilly’s in a Haunted House and Dr Terror’s Gallery of Horrors. He gave television appearances in the shows like Wagon Train, The Monkees, Deadwood and Tombstone Territory.

Lon Chaney JR was a popular and admired actor. He was given roles with innocent quality on screen. It is a sad fact but he never escaped from his father’s shadow. He died in 1973. In 1997 a stamp was issued in his honor as Wolf Man. He left two sons named, Ralph Chaney, and Ronald Chaney.

Filmography

1. Dracula vs. Frankenstein (1971) (as Lon Chaney) …. Groton
2. A Stranger in Town (1969) …. The Stranger
3. The Female Bunch (1969) …. Monti
4. Fireball Jungle (1969) (as Lon Chaney) …. Sammy
5. Buckskin (1968) (as Lon Chaney) …. Sheriff Tangley
6. Spider Baby or, The Maddest Story Ever Told (1968) (as Lon Chaney) …. Bruno
7. Hillbillys in a Haunted House (1967) (as Lon Chaney) …. Maximillian
8. Welcome to Hard Times (1967) (as Lon Chaney) …. Avery
9. “Pistols ‘n’ Petticoats” …. Chief Eagle Shadow (4 episodes, 1966-1967)
10. Dr. Terror’s Gallery of Horrors (1967) (as Lon Chaney) …. Dr. Mendell
11. “The Monkees” …. Lenny (1 episode, 1966)
12. Johnny Reno (1966) …. Sheriff Hodges
13. Apache Uprising (1965) …. Charlie Russell
14. Town Tamer (1965) …. Mayor Charlie Leach
15. Black Spurs (1965) …. Kile
16. Young Fury (1965) …. Bartender Ace
17. House of the Black Death (1965) …. Belial Dessard
18. Stage to Thunder Rock (1964) …. Henry Parker
19. Witchcraft (1964) (as Lon Chaney) …. Morgan Whitlock
20. Law of the Lawless (1964) …. Tiny
21. Face of the Screaming Werewolf (1964) …. The Mummified Werewolf
22. “Route 66″ …. Colby / … (3 episodes, 1961-1963)
23. The Haunted Palace (1963) (as Lon Chaney) …. Simon Orne
24. “Empire” …. Bart Howe (1 episode, 1963)
25. “Have Gun – Will Travel” …. O’Connor / … (2 episodes, 1959-1963)
26. “Rawhide” …. Jesse Childress / … (2 episodes, 1959-1963)
27. “Lawman” (1 episode, 1962)
28. “The Rifleman” …. Charlie Gordo (1 episode, 1962)
29. “Surfside 6″ …. Tank Grosch (1 episode, 1961)
30. Rebellion in Cuba (1961) …. Gordo
31. “Wagon Train” …. Carstairs / … (2 episodes, 1960-1961)
32. “The Deputy” …. Tom Arnold (1 episode, 1961)
33. “Zane Grey Theater” …. Michael Peters (1 episode, 1961)
34. “Klondike” …. Macfin (1 episode, 1961)
35. “Stagecoach West” …. Ben Wait (1 episode, 1961)
36. The Devil’s Messenger (1961) …. Satan
37. The Phantom (1961) (TV) …. Jed
38. “Bat Masterson” …. Rance Fletcher (1 episode, 1960)
39. “Lock Up” …. Sheriff Jeremy Davies (1 episode, 1960)s
40. La casa del terror (1960) (as Lon Chaney) …. The Werewolf
41. “Johnny Ringo” …. Ben Rafferty (1 episode, 1960)

42. “Wanted: Dead or Alive” …. Sheriff Lon Paulson (1 episode, 1959)
43. “Adventures in Paradise” …. Trader One Arm (1 episode, 1959)
44. The Alligator People (1959) (as Lon Chaney) …. Manon
45. “The Texan” …. Wylie Ames (1 episode, 1959)
46. “General Electric Theater” …. Bucknell (1 episode, 1959)
47. “The Red Skelton Show” …. Guest / … (4 episodes, 1958-1959)
48. “The Rough Riders” …. Ben ‘Pa’ Hawkins (1 episode, 1959)s
49. Money, Women and Guns (1959) (as Lon Chaney) …. Art Birdwell
50. “13 Demon Street” …. Host (2 episodes)
51. “Target” (1 episode, 1958)
52. “Tombstone Territory” …. Marshal Taggert (1 episode, 1958)
53. The Defiant Ones (1958) (as Lon Chaney) …. Big Sam
54. “Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans” …. Chingachgook (39 episodes, 1957)
55. “Climax!” …. Frank Wiggins / … (3 episodes, 1954-1957)
56. The Cyclops (1957) (as Lon Chaney) …. Martin ‘Marty’ Melville
57. Daniel Boone, Trail Blazer (1956) (as Lon Chaney) …. Blackfish
58. Pardners (1956) (as Lon Chaney) …. Whitey
59. The Black Sleep (1956) …. Dr. Munroe aka Mungo
60. “Telephone Time” …. Jules Samenian (1 episode, 1956)
61. Indestructible Man (1956) (as Lon Chaney) …. Charles ‘Butcher’ Benton
62. Manfish (1956) (as Lon Chaney) …. Swede
63. The Indian Fighter (1955) (as Lon Chaney) …. Chivington
64. I Died a Thousand Times (1955) …. Big Mac
65. Not as a Stranger (1955) (as Lon Chaney) …. Job Marsh
66. “Cavalcade of America” …. Old Jeff Harris / … (2 episodes, 1954-1955)
67. The Silver Star (1955) …. John W. Harmon
68. Big House, U.S.A. (1955) (as Lon Chaney) …. Leonard M. ‘Alamo’ Smith
69. “Studio 57″ …. Jubal Pickett (1 episode, 1955)
70. The Black Pirates (1954) …. Padre Felipe
71. “The Whistler” …. Carl (1 episode, 1954)
72. Passion (1954) (as Lon Chaney) …. Castro
73. Casanova’s Big Night (1954) (as Lon Chaney) …. Emo the Murderer
74. The Boy from Oklahoma (1954) …. Crazy Charlie
75. Jivaro (1954) (as Lon Chaney) …. Pedro Martines
76. A Lion Is in the Streets (1953) (as Lon Chaney) …. Spurge McManamee
77. Raiders of the Seven Seas (1953) (as Lon Chaney) …. Peg Leg
78. Bandit Island (1953) …. Kip
79. The Black Castle (1952) …. Gargon
80. Battles of Chief Pontiac (1952) (as Lon Chaney) …. Chief Pontiac
81. Springfield Rifle (1952) (as Lon Chaney) …. Pete Elm, Leader of Non-military Raiders
83. High Noon (1952) (as Lon Chaney) …. Martin Howe
84. Thief of Damascus (1952) (as Lon Chaney) …. Sinbad
85. “Tales of Tomorrow” …. The Monster (1 episode, 1952)
86. The Bushwhackers (1952) (as Lon Chaney) …. Artemus Taylor
87. Flame of Araby (1951) (as Lon Chaney) …. Borka Barbarossa
88. “Cosmopolitan Theatre” (1 episode, 1951)
89. Bride of the Gorilla (1951) (as Lon Chaney) …. Police Commissioner Taro
90. Behave Yourself! (1951) (as Lon Chaney) …. Pinky
91. Only the Valiant (1951) (as Lon Chaney) …. Trooper Kebussyan
92. Inside Straight (1951) (as Lon Chaney) …. Shocker
93. Once a Thief (1950) (as Lon Chaney) …. Gus
94. Captain China (1950) …. Red Lynch

95. There’s a Girl in My Heart (1949) …. John Colton
96. 16 Fathoms Deep (1948) (as Lon Chaney) …. Mr. Demitri
97. Bud Abbott Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) (as Lon Chaney) …. Larry Talbot / The Wolf Man
98. The Counterfeiters (1948) …. Louie Struber
99. Albuquerque (1948) (as Lon Chaney) …. Steve Murkill
100. My Favorite Brunette (1947) (as Lon Chaney) …. Willie
101. Pillow of Death (1945) (as Lon Chaney) …. Wayne Fletcher
102. House of Dracula (1945) (as Lon Chaney) …. Lawrence Stewart Talbot / The Wolf Man
103. The Daltons Ride Again (1945) …. Grat Dalton
104. Strange Confession (1945) (as Lon Chaney) …. Jeffrey ‘Jeff’ Carter
105. The Frozen Ghost (1945) …. Alex Gregor / Gregor the Great
106. Here Come the Co-eds (1945) …. Johnson
107. The Mummy’s Curse (1944) (as Lon Chaney) …. Kharis
108. House of Frankenstein (1944) (as Lon Chaney) …. Lawrence Talbot
109. Dead Man’s Eyes (1944) (as Lon Chaney) …. David ‘Dave’ Stuart
110. The Mummy’s Ghost (1944) (as Lon Chaney) …. Kharis
111. Ghost Catchers (1944) (as Lon Chaney) …. Bear
112. Cobra Woman (1944) (as Lon Chaney) …. Hava
113. Weird Woman (1944) (as Lon Chaney) …. Prof. Norman Reed
114. Calling Dr. Death (1943) (as Lon Chaney) …. Dr. Mark Steel
115. Son of Dracula (1943) (as Lon Chaney) …. Count Dracula
116. Crazy House (1943) (uncredited) …. Cameo appearance
117. Frontier Badmen (1943) (as Lon Chaney) …. Henchman Chango
118. What We Are Fighting For (1943) …. Bill
119. Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943) (as Lon Chaney) …. Lawrence Stewart Talbot / The Wolf Man
120. Keeping Fit (1942) …. Lon – Factory Worker
121. The Mummy’s Tomb (1942) (as Lon Chaney) …. Kharis, the Mummy
122. Eyes of the Underworld (1942) …. Benny
123. Overland Mail (1942) …. Jim Lane
124. The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942) (as Lon Chaney) …. The Monster
125. North to the Klondike (1942) …. Nate Carson
126. The Wolf Man (1941) (as Lon Chaney) …. The Wolf Man / Larry Talbot
127. Badlands of Dakota (1941) …. Jack McCall
128. Riders of Death Valley (1941) …. Henchman Butch
129. San Antonio Rose (1941) …. Jigsaw Kennedy
130. Billy the Kid (1941) …. ‘Spike’ Hudson
131. Too Many Blondes (1941) …. Marvin Gimble
132. Man Made Monster (1941) …. Dan McCormick
133. North West Mounted Police (1940) …. Shorty
134. One Million B.C. (1940) …. Akhoba

135. Of Mice and Men (1939) …. Lennie
136. Charlie Chan in City in Darkness (1939) …. Pierre
137. Frontier Marshal (1939) …. Pringle
138. Union Pacific (1939) …. Dollarhide (Campeau henchman)
139. Jesse James (1939) …. One of James Gang
140. Road Demon (1938) …. Bud Casey
141. Submarine Patrol (1938) (uncredited) …. Marine Sentry
142. Straight Place and Show (1938) (uncredited) …. Martin – Braddock’s Chauffeur
143. Passport Husband (1938) …. Bull
144. Speed to Burn (1938) …. Racetrack Mug
145. Josette (1938) …. Boatman
146. Alexander’s Ragtime Band (1938) (uncredited) …. Photographer
147. Mr. Moto’s Gamble (1938) …. Joey
148. Walking Down Broadway (1938) (uncredited) …. Bit
149. Sally, Irene and Mary (1938) (uncredited) …. Policeman
150. Happy Landing (1938) (uncredited) …. Newspaper Reporter
151. City Girl (1938) (uncredited) …. Gangster
152. Love and Hisses (1937) (uncredited) …. Attendant
153. Checkers (1937) (uncredited) …. Man at Racetrack
154. Second Honeymoon (1937) (uncredited) …. Reporter
155. Wife, Doctor and Nurse (1937) …. Chauffeur
156. Life Begins in College (1937) …. Gilks
157. Charlie Chan on Broadway (1937) (uncredited) …. Desk Man
158. Thin Ice (1937) (uncredited) …. American Reporter
159. One Mile from Heaven (1937) (uncredited) …. Policeman
160. The Lady Escapes (1937) (uncredited) …. Reporter
161. Wild and Woolly (1937) …. Dutch
162. Born Reckless (1937) (uncredited) …. Garage Mechanic
163. Slave Ship (1937) (uncredited) …. Laborer
164. Angel’s Holiday (1937) …. Eddie
165. This Is My Affair (1937) (uncredited) …. Federal Agent in Baltimore Bank
166. Charlie Chan at the Olympics (1937) (uncredited) …. Zaraka Henchman
167. That I May Live (1937) (uncredited) …. Engineer
168. Secret Agent X-9 (1937) …. Maroni (primary henchman)
169. Midnight Taxi (1937) …. Erick Erickson
170. Love Is News (1937) (uncredited) (unconfirmed) …. Newsman
171. Cheyenne Rides Again (1937) …. Girard
172. The Old Corral (1936/I) …. Garland – Simms Henchman
173. Rose Bowl (1936) (uncredited) …. Football Player
174. Killer at Large (1936) (uncredited) …. Mr. Zero’s Henchman/Coffin Man
175. Ace Drummond (1936) …. Henchman Ivan
176. Undersea Kingdom (1936) …. Capt. Hakur
177. The Singing Cowboy (1936) …. Martin
178. The Shadow of Silk Lennox (1935) (as Creighton Chaney) …. John Arthur ‘Silk’ Lennox
179. Accent on Youth (1935) …. Chuck
180. Hold ‘Em Yale (1935) (uncredited) …. Football Player
181. The Marriage Bargain (1935) (as Creighton Chaney) …. Bob Gordon
182. A Scream in the Night (1935) (as Creighton Chaney) …. Detective Jack Wilson/Butch Curtain
183. Girl o’ My Dreams (1934) (as Creighton Chaney) …. Don Cooper
184. The Life of Vergie Winters (1934) (as Creighton Chaney) …. Hugo McQueen
185. Sixteen Fathoms Deep (1934) (as Creighton Chaney) …. Joe Bethel
186. Son of the Border (1933) (as Creighton Chaney) …. Jack Breen
187. The Three Musketeers (1933) (as Creighton Chaney) …. Lt. Armand Corday
188. Scarlet River (1933) (as Creighton Chaney) …. Jeff Todd
189. Lucky Devils (1933) (as Creighton Chaney) …. Frankie Wilde
190. The Last Frontier (1932) …. Tom Kirby, aka The Black Ghost
191. Bird of Paradise (1932) (as Creighton Chaney) …. Thornton
192. Girl Crazy (1932) (uncredited) …. Custerville Cowboy
193. The Black Ghost (1932) (as Creighton Chaney) …. Tom Kirby, alias ‘The Black Ghost’
194. The Galloping Ghost (1931) (uncredited) …. Henchman
195. The Trap (1922) (uncredited) …. Hands of a Boy

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Tags: Biography, Filmography, Lon Chaney JR, Pictures