The American character actor first had several jobs as a plumber, a meatcutter's apprentice, a metal worker and a farm worker, and studied makeup at his father's side, silent film star Lon Chaney. It was not until his father's death in 1930 that Chaney Jr. went to work in films, where he first appeared under his real name. After becoming Lon Chaney Jr. in 1936, he made his first spectacular performance 1939 as the simple-minded Lenny in the adaption of John Steinbeck's "Of Mice And Men".When Universal cast him for the role of Lawrence Talbot in "The Wolf Man" (1941), he achieved some kind of stardom through the line of horror films that followed. He is the only person who has played all four of the classic movie monsters (The Wolf Man; The Frankenstein Monster; The Mummy; Dracula). His last memorable role was the retired sheriff in "High Noon" (1952), and he ended his career in 1971 (Dracula Vs. Frankenstein). In his later years he had to deal with failing health and problems with alcohol.