Lon Chaney, the child of deaf parents, became skilled in pantomime at an early age, and incorporated this as well as musical theater and dance in his performances. Chaney became well-known for being able to transform his appearance with make-up, earning him the nickname "The Man of a Thousand Faces." He had a successful stage career, but marital troubles resulting in divorce from his first wife, fellow performer Cleva Creighton, drove him away from the stage into a film career.

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