View source for Lon Chaney

{{Use American English|date=October 2025}}
{{short description|American actor (1883–1930)}}
{{for|his son|Lon Chaney Jr.}}
{{Redirect|Man of a Thousand Faces|the 1957 film|Man of a Thousand Faces (film)|the 2009 song by Regina Spektor|Far (album)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name          = Lon Chaney
| image         = Lon Chaney, Sr. The Miracle Man.jpg
| alt           = Chaney standing and smiling in a black-and-white photo
| caption       = Chaney during the production of ''[[The Miracle Man (1919 film)|The&nbsp;Miracle&nbsp;Man]]'' (1919)
| birth_name    = Leonidas Frank Chaney
| birth_date    = {{Birth date|1883|04|01}}
| birth_place   = [[Colorado Springs, Colorado]], U.S.
| death_date    = {{Death date and age|1930|08|26|1883|04|01}}
| death_place   = Los Angeles, California
| resting_place = [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)]]
| occupation    = {{hlist|Actor|director|screenwriter|makeup artist}}
| years_active  = 1902–1930
| other_names   = The Man of a Thousand Faces
| spouse        = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Frances Cleveland ("Cleva") Creighton|1905|1913|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Hazel Bennett Hastings|1915}}
}}
| children      = [[Lon Chaney Jr.]] (born Creighton Tull Chaney)
| website       = {{URL|lonchaney.com}}
}}

[[File:Lon Chaney With Makeup Kit.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Chaney with his personal makeup kit in 1925]]
[[File:Lon chaney sr.JPG|thumb|right|150px|Chaney as Erik, the Phantom of the Opera]]
'''Leonidas Frank''' "'''Lon'''" '''Chaney''' (April 1, 1883&nbsp;– August 26, 1930) was an American actor and makeup artist. He is regarded as one of the most versatile and powerful actors of cinema, renowned for his characterizations of tortured, often grotesque and afflicted, characters and for his groundbreaking artistry with makeup.<ref name=obit/> Chaney was known for his starring roles in such silent horror films as ''[[The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923 film)|The Hunchback of Notre Dame]]'' (1923) and ''[[The Phantom of the Opera (1925 film)|The Phantom of the Opera]]'' (1925). His ability to transform himself using makeup techniques that he developed earned him the nickname "'''The Man of a Thousand Faces'''". {{TOC limit|limit=2}}

==Early life==
Leonidas Frank Chaney was born in [[Colorado Springs, Colorado]], to Frank H. Chaney (a barber) and Emma Alice Kennedy. His father was of English and French ancestry, and his mother was of Scottish, English, and Irish descent. Chaney's maternal grandfather, Jonathan Ralston Kennedy, founded the "Colorado School for the Education of Mutes" (now [[Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind]]) in 1874, and Chaney's parents met there.<ref>Blackmar 1912, pp. 496–498.</ref> His great-grandfather was congressman [[John Chaney (congressman)|John Chaney]] from Ohio.

Both of Chaney's parents were deaf and, as a [[child of deaf adult]]s, Chaney became skilled in [[American Sign Language]]. He entered a stage career in 1902, and began traveling with popular [[vaudeville]] and theater acts. In 1905, Chaney, then 22, met and married 16-year-old singer Cleva Creighton (Frances Cleveland Creighton) and in 1906, their only child, a son, Creighton Tull Chaney (later known as [[Lon Chaney Jr.]]) was born. The Chaneys continued touring, settling in California in 1910.

Marital troubles developed and on April 30, 1913, Cleva went to the [[Majestic Theatre (Los Angeles)|Majestic Theatre]], where Lon was managing the "[[Kolb and Dill]]" show, and attempted suicide by swallowing [[Mercury(II) chloride|mercuric chloride]].<ref name=e>{{cite AV media | title=Mysteries and Scandals – Lon Chaney (Season 3, Episode 34) | publisher=E! | date=2000}}</ref> She survived, but it ruined her singing career; the ensuing scandal and divorce forced Chaney out of the theater and into film.

The time spent there is not clearly known, but between the years 1912 and 1917, Chaney worked under contract for [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]] doing bit or character parts. His skill with makeup gained him many parts in the highly competitive casting atmosphere. During this time, Chaney befriended the husband-wife director team of [[Joe De Grasse]] and [[Ida May Park]], who gave him substantial roles in their pictures and further encouraged him to play macabre characters.

In 1915, Chaney married one of his former colleagues in the Kolb and Dill company, a recently divorced chorus girl named Hazel Hastings. The new couple gained custody of Chaney's 10-year-old son Creighton, who had resided in various homes and boarding schools since Chaney's divorce from Cleva in 1913.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1933/11/01/archives/mrs-lon-chaney-dies-widow-of-film-star-before-her-husband-entered.html "Mrs. Lon Chaney dies. Before her husband entered the movies she was well known In Vaudeville."] ''[[The New York Times]]'', November 1, 1933. Retrieved: July 21, 2007.</ref>

==Career==
[[File:Ethel Grey Terry and Lon Chaney.jpg|thumb|left|210px|[[Ethel Grey Terry]] and Chaney in ''[[The Penalty (1920 film)|The Penalty]]'' (1920)]]
By 1917, Chaney was a prominent actor in the studio, but his salary did not reflect this status. When Chaney asked for a raise, studio executive [[William Sistrom]] replied, "You'll never be worth more than one hundred dollars a week." After leaving the studio, Chaney struggled for the first year as a character actor. It was not until he played a substantial role in [[William S. Hart]]'s picture ''[[Riddle Gawne]]'' (1918) that Chaney's talents as a character actor were truly recognized by the industry.

Universal presented Chaney, [[Dorothy Phillips]], and [[William Stowell]] as a team in ''[[The Piper's Price]]'' (1917). In succeeding films, the men alternated playing lover, villain, or other man to the beautiful Phillips. They would occasionally be joined by [[Claire DuBrey]], nearly making the trio a quartet of recurring actors from film to film. So successful were the films starring this group that Universal produced fourteen films from 1917 to 1919 with Chaney, Stowell, and Phillips.<ref name="ReferenceA">Internet Movie Database, IMDb.com ; film listings on ''Lon Chaney, William Stowell, Dorothy Phillips & Claire Dubrey''</ref>

The films were usually directed by Joe De Grasse or his wife Ida May Park - both, friends of Chaney - at Universal. When Chaney was away branching out on films such as ''[[Riddle Gawne]]'' and ''[[The Kaiser, the Beast of Berlin]]'' (both 1918), Stowell and Phillips would continue on as a duo until Chaney's return. Stowell and Phillips made ''[[The Heart of Humanity]]'' (also 1918), bringing in [[Erich von Stroheim]] for a part as the villain that could easily have been played by Chaney.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

''[[Paid in Advance]]'' (1919) was the group's last film together, for Stowell was sent to Africa by Universal to scout locations for a movie. En route from one city to another, Stowell was in the [[caboose]] when it was hit by the locomotive from another train; he was killed instantly. The majority of these films are lost apart from a few, including ''Triumph'' and ''Paid in Advance'', which survive in private collections or in European or Russian archives.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>{{#tag:ref|In a scene from ''Triumph'' (1917), biographer Daniel Blum described the scene as: "... Phillips has hand on Chaney's head embracing him while Stowell reads paperwork on desk."<ref>'Blum 1953, p. 141</ref>|group=Note}}
[[File:Lon Chaney as Chinese immigrant Yen Sin in the film Shadows (1922).jpg|thumb|right|180px|Chaney as the Chinese immigrant "Yen Sin" in ''[[Shadows (1922 film)|Shadows]]'' (1922)]]

Chaney had a breakthrough performance as "The Frog" in [[George Loane Tucker]]'s ''[[The Miracle Man (1919 film)|The Miracle Man]]'' (1919). The film displayed not only Chaney's acting ability, but also his talent as a master of makeup. Critical praise and a gross of over $2&nbsp;million put Chaney on the map as America's foremost [[character actor]].

Chaney exhibited great adaptability with makeup in more conventional crime and adventure films, such as ''[[The Penalty (1920 film)|The Penalty]]'' (1920), in which he played a gangster with both legs amputated. Chaney appeared in ten films directed by [[Tod Browning]], often portraying disguised and/or mutilated characters, including carnival knife-thrower Alonzo the Armless in ''[[The Unknown (1927 film)|The Unknown]]'' (1927) opposite [[Joan Crawford]]. Around the same time, Chaney also co-starred with [[Conrad Nagel]], [[Marceline Day]], [[Henry B. Walthall]], and [[Polly Moran]] in the Tod Browning horror film ''[[London After Midnight (film)|London After Midnight]]'' (1927), one of the most sought after [[lost film]]s.<ref>Vogel 2010, p. 146.</ref> His final film role was ''[[The Unholy Three (1930 film)|The Unholy Three]]'' (1930), a sound remake of his 1925 [[The Unholy Three (1925 film)|silent film of the same name]]. The 1930 remake was his only "[[talkie]]" and the only film in which Chaney used his powerful and versatile voice. Chaney signed a sworn statement declaring that five of the key voices in the film (the ventriloquist, the old woman, a parrot, the dummy and the girl) were his own.<ref>Herzogenrath 2008, p. 79.</ref>

[[File:Hunchback of Notre Dame.jpg|thumb|A [[Film still|still]] from ''[[The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923 film)|The Hunchback of Notre Dame]]'' (1923) showing "Quasimodo" (Chaney) being offered water by "Esmeralda" ([[Patsy Ruth Miller]])]]
[[File:Lon chaney c1923.jpg|thumb|Chaney, 1923]]
Makeup in the early days of cinema was almost non-existent with the exception of beards and mustaches to denote villains.<ref name="Anderson, R. G. 1971 pp. 1-216">Anderson, R. G. (1971). Faces, Forms, Films; the Artistry of Lon Chaney (pp. 1–216). Cranbury, NJ: A. S. Barnes and Co., Inc.</ref> Most of what the Hollywood studios knew about film stemmed from their experience with theater makeup, but this did not always transfer well to the big screen, especially as the film quality improved over time. Makeup departments were not yet in place during Chaney's time. Prior to the mid-20s, actors were expected to do their own makeup.<ref name="Anderson, R. G. 1971 pp. 1-216"/>

In the absence of such specialized professions, Chaney's skills gave him a competitive advantage over other actors. He was the complete package. Casting crews knew that they could place him in virtually any part and he would thrive. In some films his skill allowed him to play dual roles. An extreme case of this was the film ''[[Outside the Law (1920 film)|Outside the Law]]'' (1920), where he played a character who shot and killed another character, whom he also was playing.<ref name="Anderson, R. G. 1971 pp. 1-216"/>

As [[Quasimodo]], the bell ringer of [[Notre Dame Cathedral]], and [[Erik (The Phantom of the Opera)|Erik]], the "phantom" of the [[Paris Opera House]], Chaney created two of the most grotesquely deformed characters in film history.<ref name="sag">Lussier, Tim. [http://www.silentsaregolden.com/featurefolder2/phantomfeature3.html "The Phantom of the Opera (1925)."] ''Silents are Golden'', 2000. Retrieved: May 10, 2016.</ref><ref name="uni">Dick 1997, pp. 52–55.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/la-tm-lonchaney19feb19-htmlstory.html |title=The Most Fiendish Face in Movies |last=Turan |first=Kenneth |date=February 19, 2006 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=March 3, 2022}}</ref> "''Phantom'' … became a legend almost immediately," wrote the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' in 1990. "The newspapers of the day reported that women fainted, children bawled and grown men stepped outside for fresh air after the famous unmasking scene."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-10-25-ol-4279-story.html |title=FILM: Lon Chaney's Legendary Phantom |last=Chalon Smith |first=Mark |date=October 25, 1990 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref> "The unmasking of the titular Phantom is one of the most well-known moments in silent film," wrote Meg Shields in 2020. "Arguably, it's one of the most horrifying images ever put on screen."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://filmschoolrejects.com/phantom-of-the-opera-face/ |title=Unmasking the Death's Head Reveal of ''The Phantom of the Opera'' |last=Shields |first=Meg |date=February 28, 2020 |website=Film School Rejects |publisher= |access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref>
However, Chaney's portrayals sought to elicit a degree of sympathy and pathos among viewers not overwhelmingly terrified or repulsed by the monstrous disfigurements of these victims of fate.
[[File:ChaneyPhantomoftheOpera.jpg|thumb|right|190px|''[[The Phantom of the Opera (1925 film)|The Phantom of the Opera]]'' (1925)]] In a 1925 autobiographical article for ''Movie'' magazine, he wrote: "I wanted to remind people that the lowest types of humanity may have within them the capacity for supreme self-sacrifice. The [[dwarfism|dwarfed]], misshapen beggar of the streets may have the noblest ideals. Most of my roles since ''The Hunchback,'' such as ''[[The Phantom of the Opera (1925 film)|The Phantom of the Opera]]'', ''[[He Who Gets Slapped (film)|He Who Gets Slapped]]'', ''[[The Unholy Three (1930 film)|The Unholy Three]],'' etc., have carried the theme of self-sacrifice or renunciation. These are the stories which I wish to do." Chaney referred to his expertise in both makeup and contorting his body to portray his subjects as "extraordinary characterization". Chaney's talents extended beyond the horror genre and stage makeup. He was also a highly skilled dancer, singer and comedian.
[[File:Lon Chaney London After Midnight Vampire Bat Cape.jpg|thumb|left|230px|''[[London After Midnight (film)|London After Midnight]]'' (1927)]]

[[Ray Bradbury]] once said of Chaney, "He was someone who acted out our [[Psyche (psychology)|psyche]]s. He somehow got into the shadows inside our bodies; he was able to nail down some of our secret fears and put them on-screen. The history of Lon Chaney is the history of unrequited loves. He brings that part of you out into the open, because you fear that you are not loved, you fear that you never will be loved, you fear there is some part of you that's grotesque, that the world will turn away from."
Chaney and his second wife Hazel led a discreet private life distant from the Hollywood social scene. Chaney did minimal promotional work for his films and for [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]], purposefully fostering a mysterious image, and he reportedly intentionally avoided the social scene in Hollywood.<ref name="fleming">Fleming 2009, p. 167.</ref>

In the final five years of his film career (1925–1930), Chaney worked exclusively under contract to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, giving some of his most memorable performances. His portrayal of a tough-as-nails marine drill instructor in ''[[Tell It to the Marines (1926 film)|Tell It to the Marines]]'' (1926), one of his favorite films, earned him the affection of the [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]], who made him their first [[Honorary Marine|honorary member]] from the motion picture industry.<ref name="LaSalle 2000, p. 120">LaSalle 2000, p. 120.</ref>

He also earned the respect and admiration of numerous aspiring actors, to whom he offered mentoring assistance, and between takes on film sets he was always willing to share his professional observations with the cast and crew. During the filming of ''[[The Unknown (1927 film)|The Unknown]]'' (1927), Joan Crawford stated that she learned more about acting from watching Chaney work than from anyone else in her career. "It was then," she said, "I became aware for the first time of the difference between standing in front of a camera, and acting."<ref name="LaSalle 2000, p. 120"/>

[[File:Lon Chaney as Mr Wu.png|thumb|right|260px|Chaney, in full makeup and attire of "[[Mr. Wu (1927 film)|Mr. Wu]]", conducts a women's orchestra, 1927]]

==Death==
During the filming of ''[[Thunder (1929 film)|Thunder]]'' in the winter of 1929, Chaney developed [[pneumonia]]. In late 1929, he was diagnosed with bronchial lung cancer. This was exacerbated when [[fake snow]] lodged in his throat during filming and caused a serious infection.<ref name="Schickel">Schickel and Hurlburt 1962, p. 133,</ref> Despite aggressive treatment, his condition gradually worsened, and he died of a throat hemorrhage on August 26, 1930, in a Los Angeles, California hospital.{{#tag:ref|''[[The New York Times]]'' reported: "Lon Chaney dies after brave fight. On road to recovery, screen actor is stricken by hemorrhage of the throat. Was a master of makeup. Son of deaf and dumb Parents, He began career as property boy. Excelled in vivid personations. Acted as Pike's Peak guide. Made stage debut at 17. Appeared in slap-stick comedy. Wore straitjacket as "Hunchback." New disguise for each film. Although he was believed to be on the road to recovery, Lon Chaney, screen actor, who had been making a valiant fight against anemia and bronchial congestion, died at 12:55."<ref name=obit>[https://www.nytimes.com/1930/08/27/archives/lon-chaney-dies-after-brave-fight-on-road-to-recovery-screen-actor.html "Obituary: Lon Chaney."] ''[[The New York Times]]'', August 27, 1930. Retrieved: July 21, 2007.</ref>|group=Note}}

His funeral was held on August 28 in [[Glendale, California]]. Honorary pallbearers included [[Paul Bern]], [[Hunt Stromberg]], [[Irving Thalberg]], [[Louis B. Mayer]], [[Lionel Barrymore]], [[Wallace Beery]], [[Tod Browning]], [[Lew Cody]], and [[Ramon Novarro]]. The U.S. Marine Corps provided a chaplain and [[Guard of honour|Honor Guard]] for his funeral. While his funeral was being conducted, all MGM studios and offices observed two minutes of silence.<ref name="fleming"/><ref name="telegraph">[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2209&dat=19300828&id=WB1AAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jKQMAAAAIBAJ&pg=7139,4071684 "Funeral Service For Lon Chaney."] ''The Telegraph'', August 28, 1930, p. 5. Retrieved: January 26, 2015.</ref>
[[File:Lon Chaney Grave.JPG|thumb|180px|right|Chaney's unmarked [[crypt]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seeing-stars.com/ImagePages/LonChaneySrGravePhoto.shtml|title=Lon Chaney's grave (photo)|website=www.seeing-stars.com}}</ref> in the Great Mausoleum at [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)|Forest Lawn Memorial Park]] in [[Glendale, California|Glendale]], California]]

Chaney was interred at [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)|Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery]] in Glendale, next to the crypt of his father.<ref name="telegraph"/> His wife Hazel was interred there upon her death in 1933. In accordance with his will, Chaney's crypt has remained unmarked.<ref>Riley 1993, p. 54.</ref>

==Legacy==
In 1957, Chaney was the subject of a biopic titled ''[[Man of a Thousand Faces (film)|Man of a Thousand Faces]]'', in which he was portrayed by [[James Cagney]].<ref>Slide 2010, p. 217.</ref> The film is a largely fictionalized account, as Chaney was notoriously private and hated the Hollywood lifestyle. He never revealed personal details about himself or his family, once stating, "Between pictures, there is no Lon Chaney."<ref name="fleming"/>

Chaney's son Creighton, later known as [[Lon Chaney Jr.]], became a film actor after his father's death.<ref>Smith 2004, pp. 9, 12.</ref> Chaney Jr. is best remembered for roles in horror films, such as the title character in ''[[The Wolf Man (1941 film)|The Wolf Man]]'' (1941).<ref>Guiley 2004, p. 63.</ref> In October 1997, both Chaneys appeared on commemorative US postage stamps as the Phantom of the Opera and the Wolf Man, with the set completed by [[Bela Lugosi]] as [[Count Dracula]] and [[Boris Karloff]] as [[Frankenstein's monster]] and the [[The Mummy (1932 film)|Mummy]].<ref>Carr, Richard. [http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1997-10-05/entertainment/9710010211_1_national-stamp-collecting-month-commemoratives-frankenstein-s-monster "Movie monsters kick off National Stamp-collecting Month."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929001223/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1997-10-05/entertainment/9710010211_1_national-stamp-collecting-month-commemoratives-frankenstein-s-monster |date=September 29, 2015 }} ''sun-sentinel.com'', October 5, 1997. Retrieved: January 26, 2015.</ref>

Chaney is also the subject of the 2000 documentary feature, ''Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces''. The film was produced by silent film historian [[Kevin Brownlow]] and narrated by [[Kenneth Branagh]].<ref>French, Phillip. [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jan/05/phantom-opera-lon-chaney-1925 "The Phantom of the Opera."] ''theguardian.com'', January 4, 2014. Retrieved: January 26, 2015.</ref>

In the song "[[Werewolves of London]]" by [[Warren Zevon]], both Chaney and his son [[Lon Chaney Jr]] are namechecked in the last verse.

In 2022, a biographical stage musical based on Chaney's life titled ''A Thousand Faces: The Lon Chaney Musical'' debuted at The Encore Musical Theatre Company, based out of [[Dexter, Michigan]]. Chaney's character was played by Danny Gardner.<ref>Hall, Margaret. [https://playbill.com/article/lon-chaney-biomusical-a-thousand-faces-to-premiere-at-michigans-encore-musical-theatre-company "Lon Chaney Biomusical ''A Thousand Faces'' to Premiere at Michigan's Encore Musical Theatre Company.] ''playbill.com'', March 30, 2022. Retrieved: September 15, 2025.</ref>

==Honors==

[[File:ChaneyHighSierraHouseFrontView.jpg|right|thumb|270px|Chaney's [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]] House, located near [[Big Pine, California]], was his mountain retreat.]]

Chaney has a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]], located on [[Hollywood Boulevard]].<ref>[https://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/lon-chaney/ "Lon Chaney."] ''latimes.com''. Retrieved: January 26, 2015.</ref> In 1994, [[Al Hirschfeld]]'s caricature of Chaney was featured on a commemorative [[List of people on stamps of the United States|United States postage stamp]].<ref>Blake 1997, p. 290.</ref>

In 1929, Chaney built [[Lon Chaney Cabin|a stone cabin]] in the remote wilderness of the eastern [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]] near [[Big Pine, California]] as a retreat, hiring [[Paul R. Williams]]. Located in the [[Inyo National Forest]], the cabin still stands, though it is not open to the public.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carlson |first=Leslie |date=June 7, 2003 |title=Actor Lon Chaney's Phantom of the Forest |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-07-me-outthere7-story.html |access-date=October 28, 2022}}</ref> Following his death, Chaney's famous makeup case was donated to the [[Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County|Los Angeles County Museum]] by his widow, Hazel. The case is occasionally displayed for the public. The stage theater at the Colorado Springs Civic Auditorium is also named after the actor.

There is a street named after Chaney in [[San Antonio|San Antonio, Texas]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Merrisa |date=September 30, 2014 |title=San Antonio street names and groupings |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/slideshow/San-Antonio-street-names-and-groupings-94695.php |website=mysanantonio.com}}</ref>

==Filmography==
Approximately 102 of the 157 films made by Chaney are currently classified as [[lost film]]s. A number of the remaining 55 films exist only in extremely truncated form or suffer from severe decomposition.

Two of Chaney's films (''[[The Phantom of the Opera (1925 film)|The Phantom of the Opera]]'' and ''[[He Who Gets Slapped (film)|He Who Gets Slapped]]'') are inducted into [[Library of Congress]]' [[National Film Registry]].

===Short subjects===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1913
| ''[[Poor Jake's Demise]]'' 
| Willy (The Dude) Mollycoddle 
| Chaney's first credited film appearance<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref> <br />Eight minutes of footage discovered in 2006, restored.
|-
| 1913
| ''[[The Sea Urchin (1913 film)|The Sea Urchin]]'' 
| Barnacle Bill 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1913
| ''[[The Blood Red Tape of Charity]]''
| A Jewish pawnbroker (uncredited)<ref name="Blake, Michael F. 1998 Page 3">Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 3. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref>
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1913
| ''[[Shon the Piper]]'' 
| Scottish clansman (uncredited)
| Also known as ''Shawn the Piper''<br />'''Lost''' film<ref name="Blake, Michael F. 1998 Page 3"/>
|-
| 1913
| ''[[The Trap (1913 film)|The Trap]]'' 
| Lon (uncredited)
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1913
| ''[[The Restless Spirit]]'' 
| The Russian Count wearing a beard (uncredited)<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 4. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref>
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1913
| ''[[Almost an Actress]]''
| Lon plays a cameraman 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1913
| ''[[An Elephant on His Hands]]'' 
| Eddie<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 5. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref>
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1913
| ''[[Back to Life (1913 film)|Back to Life]]''
| The Rival 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1913
| ''[[Red Margaret, Moonshiner]]''
| Lon (an old moonshiner with a wild beard)
| Re-release title: ''Moonshine Blood''<br />'''Lost''' film<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 8. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref> 
|-
| 1913
| ''[[Bloodhounds of the North]]'' 
| Mountie lieutenant 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[The Lie (1914 film)|The Lie]]''
| Young MacGregor 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[The Honor of the Mounted]]''
| Jacques Laquox 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[Remember Mary Magdalen]]''
| The half-wit 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[Discord and Harmony]]''
| Lon, a sculptor 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[The Menace to Carlotta]]''
| Giovanni Bartholdi 
| Chaney also wrote the screenplay<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 14. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref><br />Working title: ''Carlotta, the Bead Stringer''<br />'''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[The Embezzler (1914 film)|The Embezzler]]'' 
| J. Roger Dixon, a blackmailer<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lonchaney.org/filmography/17.html|title=The Embezzler|last=Mirsalis|first=John C.|access-date=September 24, 2020|website=Lonchaney.org}}</ref>
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[The Lamb, the Woman, the Wolf]]'' 
| The Wolf (a mountain man)
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[The End of the Feud]]''
| Wood Dawson 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[The Tragedy of Whispering Creek]]'' 
| The Greaser 
| Some sources say Chaney wrote the screenplay as well (but this is disputed)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lonchaney.org/filmography/20.html|title=The Tragedy of Whispering Creek (1914)|website=lonchaney.org}}</ref><br />Print exists in the Deutsche Kinematek film archive<ref>{{cite web|url=http://silentera.com/PSFL/data/T/TragedyOfWhisperingCre1914.html|title=The Tragedy of Whispering Creek|last=Bennett|first=Carl|access-date=September 25, 2020|website=silentera.com}}</ref>
|-
| 1914
| ''[[The Unlawful Trade]]''
| The half-breed
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[The Forbidden Room (1914 film)|The Forbidden Room]]''
| John Morris 
| Working title: ''The Web of Circumstance''<br />'''Lost''' film<ref name="lonchaney.org">{{Cite web|url=http://lonchaney.org/notfilmog.html|title=The Not Lon Chaney Filmography|website=lonchaney.org}}</ref>
|-
| 1914
| ''[[The Old Cobbler]]'' 
| Wild Bill 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[A Ranch Romance]]''
| Raphael Praz 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[The Hopes of Blind Alley]]''
| The vendor 
| aka ''The Hopes of a Blind Alley''<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 20. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref><br />'''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[Her Grave Mistake]]''
| Nunez, a Mexican spy 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[By the Sun's Rays]]''
| Frank Lawler, the clerk 
| A 16mm. print of this film exists<br />available on DVD<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 21. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref>
|-
| 1914
| ''[[The Oubliette]]''
| Chevalier Bertrand de la Payne 
| A nitrate print was discovered in Georgia in 1983.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lonchaney.org/filmography/28.html|title=The Oubliette (1914)|website=www.lonchaney.org}}</ref><br />Alternate title: ''The Adventures of François Villon #1: The Oubliette''
|-
| 1914
| ''[[A Miner's Romance]]'' 
| John Burns 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[Her Bounty]]''
| Fred Howard 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[The Higher Law (1914 film)|The Higher Law]]''
| Sir Stephen Fitz Allen 
| Alternative title: ''The Adventures of François Villon #2: The Higher Law''<br />'''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[Richelieu (1914 film)|Richelieu]]'' 
| Baradas, the villain 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[The Pipes o' Pan]]''
| Arthur Farrell 
| Some sequences were hand colored<br />'''Lost''' film<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 26. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref>
|-
| 1914
| ''[[Virtue Is Its Own Reward]]'' 
| Duncan Bronson, an unsavory co-worker 
| In 2018, a 25-foot fragment of this film was discovered in a Brooklyn attic<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lonchaney.org/filmography/34.html|title=Virtue Its Own Reward (1914)|website=www.lonchaney.org}}</ref><ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 27. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref>
|-
| 1914
| ''[[Her Life's Story]]''
| Don Valesquez, a nobleman 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[A Small Town Girl]]'' 
| A pimp
| Released November 7, 1914<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 28. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref><br />'''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[Lights and Shadows (1914 film)|Lights and Shadows]]'' 
| Bentley, a wealthy man's son
| '''Lost''' film<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 29. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref>
|-
| 1914
| ''[[The Lion, the Lamb, the Man]]''
| Fred Brown, the "Lion" 
| A 1-reel cutdown print survives with most of the opening footage removed<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lonchaney.org/filmography/37.html|title=The Lion, the Lamb and the Man (1914)|website=www.lonchaney.org}}</ref>
|-
| 1914
| ''[[A Night of Thrills]]''
| The Visitor 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1914
| ''[[Her Escape]]''
| Pete Walsh, a blind man 
| Chaney also wrote the screenplay for this film<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 30. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref><br />'''Lost''' film
|-
| 1915
| ''[[The Sin of Olga Brandt]]''
| Stephen Leslie, an attorney 
| '''Lost''' film<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 33. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref>
|-
| 1915
| ''[[The Star of the Sea]]'' 
| Tomasco, a hunchbacked fisherman
| '''Lost''' film<ref name="Blake, Michael F. 1998 Page 34">Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 34. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref>
|-

| 1915
| ''[[The Measure of a Man (1915 film)|The Measure of a Man]]''
| Mountie Lt. Jim Stuart<ref name="Blake, Michael F. 1998 Page 34"/> 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1915
| ''[[The Threads of Fate]]'' 
| The Count
| The opening and closing scenes were hand colored<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 35. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref><br /> '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1915
| ''[[When the Gods Played a Badger Game]]'' 
| Joe – the Property Man 
| Working title was ''The Girl Who Couldn't Go Wrong''<br />'''Lost''' film<ref name="lonchaney.org"/>
|-
| 1915
| ''[[Such Is Life (1915 film)|Such Is Life]]'' 
| Tod Wilkes, a burlesque show performer 
| '''Lost''' film<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 36. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref> 
|-
| 1915
| ''[[Where the Forest Ends]]'' 
| Paul Rouchelle, an artist
| '''Lost''' film<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 37. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref> 
|-
| 1915
| ''[[Outside the Gates]]''
| Perez, a peddler 
| '''Lost''' film<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 38. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref> 
|-
| 1915
| ''[[All for Peggy]]''
| Seth Baldwin, the stable boy 
| '''Lost''' film<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 39. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref> 
|-
| 1915
| ''[[The Desert Breed]]''
| Fred 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1915
| ''[[Maid of the Mist (film)|Maid of the Mist]]'' 
| Lin – Pauline's Father 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1915
| ''[[The Girl of the Night]]''
| Jerry, a small-time crook 
| Re-release title: ''Her Chance''<br />'''Lost''' film<ref name="lonchaney.org"/>
|-
| 1915
| ''[[The Stool Pigeon (1915 film)|The Stool Pigeon]]''
|
| Chaney directed this film (his first) but did not star in it<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 42. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref> <br />'''Lost''' film
|-
| 1915
| ''[[The Grind (1915 film)|The Grind]]'' 
| Henry Leslie
| Released in UK as ''On the Verge of Sin''<br />'''Lost''' film<ref name="lonchaney.org"/>
|-
| 1915
| ''[[For Cash]]''
| 
| Chaney directed this film but did not star in it<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 43. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref><br />'''Lost''' film
|-
| 1915
| ''[[An Idyll of the Hills]]''
| Lafe Jameson, moonshiner 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1915
| ''[[The Stronger Mind]]''
| The Crook's Pal 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1915
| ''[[The Oyster Dredger]]''
|
| Chaney wrote and directed this film but did not star in it<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 45. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref><br />'''Lost''' film
|- 
| 1915
| ''[[Steady Company (1915 film)|Steady Company]]''
| Jimmy Ford, a warehouse employee 
| '''Lost''' film
|- 
| 1915
| ''[[The Violin Maker]]''
| Pedro, the violin maker 
| Chaney directed this film<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 47. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref><br />'''Lost''' film
|- 
| 1915
| ''[[The Trust (1915 film)|The Trust]]''
| Jim Mason, a thief
| Chaney directed this film<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 48. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref><br />Alternative title: ''The Truce''<br />'''Lost''' film
|-
| 1915
| ''[[Bound on the Wheel]]'' 
| Tom Coulahan, a drunkard
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1915
| ''[[Mountain Justice (1915 film)|Mountain Justice]]''
| Jeffrey Kirke, a moonshiner
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1915
| ''Quits'' 
| Frenchy, a fugitive
| Working title was ''The Sheriff of Long Butte'' (the title of the [[Jules Furthman]] story it was based on); released 8/17/15; one reel<ref name="Blake, Michael F. 1998 Page 51">Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 51. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://lonchaney.org/filmography/64.html|title=Quits|last=Mirsalis|first=Jon C.|access-date=November 13, 2020|website=Lonchaney.org}}</ref> <br />'''Lost''' film (a still from the film exists)<ref>[http://silentera.com/PSFL/data/Q/Quits1915-1.html "Quits (1915)."] ''silentera.com''. Retrieved: January 26, 2015.</ref>
|-
| 1915
| ''[[The Chimney's Secret]]'' 
| Dual role: as both Charles Harding (the bank cashier) and as the miserly old beggar 
| Chaney wrote and directed this film<ref name="Blake, Michael F. 1998 Page 51"/><br />'''Lost''' film
|-
| 1915
| ''[[The Pine's Revenge]]''
| Black Scotty, a criminal 
| The working title was ''The King's Keeper''<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 52. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref><br />'''Lost''' film
|-
| 1915
| ''[[The Fascination of the Fleur de Lis]]'' 
| Duke of Safoulrug 
| An '''incomplete''' print survives in the hands of a private collector in England<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lonchaney.org/filmography/67.html|title=The Fascination of the Fleur de Lis (1915)|website=www.lonchaney.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://silentera.com/PSFL/data/F/FascinationOfTheFleurD1915.html|title=Silent Era : Progressive Silent Film List|website=silentera.com}}</ref>
|-
| 1915
| ''[[Alas and Alack]]'' 
| Dual role: Jess's husband (a fisherman) and Hunchback Fate (in a fantasy sequence) <ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 53. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lonchaney.org/filmography/68.html|title=Alas and Alack (1915)|website=lonchaney.org}}</ref>
| An '''incomplete''' print exists in the National Film Archives in London.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lonchaney.org/filmography/68.html|title=Alas and Alack (1915)|website=www.lonchaney.org}}</ref>
|-
| 1915
| ''[[A Mother's Atonement]]''
| Ben Morrison (as an old man and as his younger self)<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 54. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref>
| Only the first two reels of the picture survive at the Library of Congress<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lonchaney.org/filmography/69.html|title=A Mother's Atonement (1915)|website=www.lonchaney.org}}</ref>
|-
| 1915
| ''[[Lon of Lone Mountain]]'' 
| Lon Moore, a mountain man
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1915
| ''[[The Millionaire Paupers]]''
| Martin, the building manager 
| The working title was ''Fate's A Fiddler''<ref name="Blake, Michael F. 1998 Page 56">Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 56. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref><br />A brief fragment of the film exists in a private collection.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lonchaney.org/filmography/71.html|title=The Millionaire Paupers (1915)|website=www.lonchaney.org}}</ref>
|-
| 1915
| ''[[Under a Shadow]]'' 
| DeSerris, a Secret Service agent 
| '''Lost''' film<ref name="Blake, Michael F. 1998 Page 56"/>
|-
| 1915
| ''[[Stronger Than Death (1915 film)|Stronger Than Death]]''
| An attorney 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1916
| ''[[Dolly's Scoop]]'' 
| Dan Fisher, reporter 
| A print of the film survives, missing the main title but otherwise complete.<ref name="silentera">{{cite web |url=http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/D/DollysScoop1916.html |title=Silent Era: Dolly's Scoop |access-date=June 23, 2008|work=silentera}}</ref>
|-
| 1916
| ''[[Felix on the Job]]'' 
| Tod 
| released October 31, 1916<ref name="Blake, Michael F. 1998 Page 65">Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 65. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref><br /> '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1916
| ''[[Accusing Evidence]]'' 
| Lon, a Canadian Mountie
| Apparently filmed in 1914 but only released on November 23, 1916<ref>{{cite web|url= http://lonchaney.org/filmography/85.html|title=Accusing Evidence|last=Mirsalis|first=Jon C.|access-date=November 17, 2020|website=Lonchaney.org}}</ref><ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 69. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref><br /> '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1917
| ''[[The Mask of Love]]''
| Marino, an underworld criminal 
| Apparently filmed in 1914 but only released on March 19, 1917<ref>{{cite web|url= http://lonchaney.org/filmography/89.html |title=The Mask of Love|last=Mirsalis|first=Jon C.|access-date=November 17, 2020|website=Lonchaney.org}}</ref>
<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 70. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref><br /> '''Lost''' film
|-
|}

===Feature films===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1915
| ''[[Father and the Boys]]'' 
| Tuck Bartholomew 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1916
| ''[[The Grip of Jealousy]]'' 
| Silas Lacey 
| Working title was ''Love Thine Enemy''<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 60. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref><br /> '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1916
| ''[[Tangled Hearts]]'' 
| John Hammond 
| Roughly two minutes of footage exist in a private collection
|-
| 1916
| ''[[The Gilded Spider]]''
| Giovanni 
| Working title was ''The Full Cup''<br />A print was rediscovered in 2008.<ref name="lonchaney.org"/>
|-
| 1916
| ''[[Bobbie of the Ballet]]''
| Hook Hoover 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1916
| ''[[The Grasp of Greed]]'' 
| Jimmie 
| About half the film still exists ('''incomplete''' print) at the George Eastman House Film Archive<ref>{{cite web|url= http://lonchaney.org/filmography/80.html |title=The Grasp of Greed|last=Mirsalis|first=Jon C.|access-date=November 19, 2020|website=Lonchaney.org}}</ref>
|-
| 1916
| ''[[The Mark of Cain (1916 film)|The Mark of Cain]]''
| Dick Temple 
| Chaney received first billing in this film for the first time in his career.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://lonchaney.org/filmography/81.html|title=The Mark of Cain|last=Mirsalis|first=Jon C.|access-date=November 19, 2020|website=Lonchaney.org}}</ref><br />Working title was ''By Fate's Decree''.<br />'''Lost''' film (only a few fragments exist in the Danish Film Archive)<ref name="lonchaney.org"/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://lonchaney.org/filmography/81.html | title=The Mark of Cain (1916) }}</ref>
|-
| 1916
| ''[[If My Country Should Call]]''
| Dr. George Ardrath 
| '''Incomplete''' print (reels 2, 3 and 5 of 5) exists at the National Archives of Canada and the Library of Congress.<ref name="Blake, Michael F. 1998 Page 65"/>
|-
| 1916
| ''[[The Place Beyond the Winds]]'' 
| Jerry Jo 
| Working title was ''Mansion of Despair''<ref name="lonchaney.org"/><br />Four of the five reels (reels 2, 3, 4 and 5) still survive in the film archive in the Library of Congress and in the National Archives of Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/P/PlaceBeyondtheWinds1916.html |title=Silent Era: The Place Beyond the Winds |access-date=June 25, 2008|work=silentera}}</ref> 
|-
| 1916
| ''[[The Price of Silence (1916 film)|The Price of Silence]]'' 
| Dr. Edmond Stafford
| A print exists in the CNC French Film Archives<ref>{{cite web|url= http://lonchaney.org/filmography/86.html|title=The Price of Silence|last=Mirsalis|first=Jon C.|access-date=December 6, 2020|website=Lonchaney.org}}</ref>
|-
| 1917
| ''[[The Piper's Price]]'' 
| Billy Kilmartin 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1917
| ''[[Hell Morgan's Girl]]''
| Sleter Noble
| Working title was ''The Wrong Side of Paradise''<br />'''Lost''' film<ref name="lonchaney.org"/>
|-
| 1917
| ''[[The Girl in the Checkered Coat]]''
| Hector Maitland 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1917
| ''[[The Flashlight]]''
| Dual Role as both Henry Norton and as Porter Brixton (two step-brothers)
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1917
| ''[[A Doll's House (1917 film)|A Doll's House]]'' 
| Nils Krogstad
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1917
| ''[[Fires of Rebellion]]''
| Russell Hanlon 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1917
| ''[[The Rescue (1917 film)|The Rescue]]''
| Thomas Holland 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1917
| ''[[Pay Me!]]''
| Joe Lawson
| Alternate title: ''Vengeance of the West''<ref>{{cite web|url= http://silentera.com/PSFL/data/P/PayMe1917.html|title=Pay Me!|last=Bennett|first=Carl|access-date=September 26, 2020|website=silentera.com}}</ref>
|-
| 1917
| ''[[Triumph (1917 film)|Triumph]]''
| Paul Neihoff 
| An '''incomplete''' print consisting only of the first three reels were discovered in England and have been preserved at AMPAS<ref>{{cite web|url= http://lonchaney.org/filmography/96.html|title=Triumph|last=Mirsalis|first=Jon C.|access-date=January 28, 2021|website=Lonchaney.org}}</ref>
|-
| 1917
| ''[[The Empty Gun]]'' 
| Frank 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1917
| ''[[Bondage (1917 film)|Bondage]]''
| The Seducer 
| Uncredited (his appearance in this film is unconfirmed, but Blake's book says Chaney was in the film)<br />'''Lost''' film<ref name="The Not Lon Chaney Filmography">{{Cite web|url=http://lonchaney.org/notfilmog.html|title=The Not Lon Chaney Filmography|website=lonchaney.org|access-date=November 6, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 1917
| ''[[Anything Once]]'' 
| Waught Moore 
| Working title was ''A Fool for Luck''; a.k.a. ''The Maverick''<br />'''Lost''' film
|-
| 1917
| ''[[The Scarlet Car (1917 film)|The Scarlet Car]]'' 
| Paul Revere Forbes 
| Prints exist at the Library of Congress and elsewhere<br /> Clips included in the 1995 documentary ''Lon Chaney: Behind the Mask''<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 79. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref>
|-
| 1918
| ''[[Broadway Love]]'' 
| Elmer Watkins 
| A print of the film survives in the [[George Eastman House Motion Picture Collection]].<ref name="silentera2">{{cite web |url=http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/B/BroadwayLove1918.html |title=Progressive Silent Film List: ''Broadway Love'' |accessdate=June 26, 2008|work=silentera.com}}</ref>
|-
| 1918
| ''[[The Grand Passion]]'' 
| Paul Argos 
| Working title was ''The Boss of Powderville''<br />'''Lost''' film
|-
| 1918
| ''[[The Kaiser, the Beast of Berlin]]''
| Bethmann-Hollweg
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1918
| ''[[Fast Company (1918 film)|Fast Company]]'' 
| Dan McCarty 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1918
| ''[[A Broadway Scandal]]''
| "Kink" Colby 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1918
| ''[[Riddle Gawne]]'' 
| Hame Bozzam 
| Two of the five reels exist in the Library of Congress ('''incomplete''' print)<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 86. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref>
|-
| 1918
| ''[[That Devil, Bateese]]'' 
| Louis Courteau 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1918
| ''[[The Talk of the Town (1918 film)|The Talk of the Town]]'' 
| Jack Lanchome (Langhorne in some sources)
| Based on a novelette called ''Discipline of Genevra''<br />'''Lost''' film
|-
| 1918
| ''[[Danger, Go Slow]]'' 
| Bud
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1919
| ''[[The False Faces]]''
| Karl Eckstrom, a German spy 
| Based on the novel by Louis Joseph Vance<br />The film's working title was ''The Lone Wolf''<ref name="lonchaney.org"/><br />Complete print exists at the George Eastman House<br />Available on DVD
|-
| 1919
| ''[[The Wicked Darling]]'' 
| Stoop Connors
| Chaney's first collaboration with [[Tod Browning]]<br />Working titles were ''The Gutter Rose'' and ''Rose of the Night''<ref name="lonchaney.org"/><br />A complete print (with some decomposition) exists at the Netherlands Filmmuseum in Amsterdam<br />Available on DVD
|-
| 1919
| ''[[A Man's Country]]''
| "Three Card" Duncan 
| A small portion of this film was discovered at the [[Danish Film Institute]] film archive in Denmark.<br />The fragment does not contain any of Chaney's scenes<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov:8081/diglib/ihas/loc.mbrs.sfdb.7358/default.html|title=A Man's Country / Henry Kolker [motion picture]:Bibliographic Record Description: Performing Arts Databases, Library of Congress}}</ref>
|-
| 1919
| ''[[The Miracle Man (1919 film)|The Miracle Man]]''
| The Frog
| '''Lost''' film<br />A 3-minute fragment exists showing Chaney in the faith healing sequence<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://silentera.com/PSFL/data/M/MiracleMan1919.html|title=Silent Era : Progressive Silent Film List|website=silentera.com}}</ref>
|-
| 1919
| ''[[Paid in Advance]]''
| Bateese Le Blanc 
| A nitrate stock print (with Czech subtitles) is housed at the Narodni Filmovy Archive in Czechoslovakia<ref>Blake, Michael F. (1998). "The Films of Lon Chaney". Vestal Press Inc. Page 94. {{ISBN|1-879511-26-6}}.</ref>
|-
| 1919
| ''[[When Bearcat Went Dry]]'' 
| Kindard Powers 
| A complete print exists at the American Film Institute, donated by a collector
|-
| 1919
| ''[[Victory (1919 film)|Victory]]'' 
| Ricardo
| With [[Wallace Beery]]; complete film available on DVD
|-
| 1920
| ''[[Daredevil Jack]]''
| Royce Rivers, bandit leader
| 15-chapter serial<br />Segments of this film (mainly Chapters 1, 2 and 4) are stored at the [[University of California, Los Angeles]]<br />
Chaney does not appear in the existing footage
|-
| 1920
| ''[[Treasure Island (1920 film)|Treasure Island]]''
| Dual role as two pirates, Blind Pew and Merry 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1920
| ''[[The Gift Supreme]]'' 
| Merney Stagg 
| An '''incomplete''' print (reel one of six) survives and is preserved in a private collection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/G/GiftSupreme1920.html|title=The Gift Supreme|publisher=silentera.com|accessdate=January 27, 2015}}</ref> 
|-
| 1920
| ''[[Nomads of the North]]''
| Raoul Challoner
| Available on DVD
|-
| 1920
| ''[[The Penalty (1920 film)|The Penalty]]''
| Blizzard
| Available on DVD
|-
| 1920
| ''[[Outside the Law (1920 film)|Outside the Law]]'' 
| Dual role as Black Mike Sylva and Ah Wing 
| Print exists in the Film Preservation Associates film collection<br />Available on DVD.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://silentera.com/PSFL/data/O/OutsideTheLaw1920.html|title=Silent Era : Progressive Silent Film List|website=silentera.com}}</ref>
|-
| 1921
| ''[[For Those We Love]]'' 
| Trix Ulner 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1921
| ''[[Bits of Life]]''
| Chin Chow 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1921
| ''[[The Ace of Hearts (1921 film)|The Ace of Hearts]]'' 
| Farallone
| Available on DVD
|-
| 1921
| ''[[Voices of the City]]'' 
| Red O'Rourke, gangster 
| Released originally as ''The Night Rose'', the film was then re-edited and retitled ''Voices of the City''; Chaney's character's name was changed from Red O'Rourke to Duke McGee; <br />'''Lost''' film
|-
| 1922
| ''[[The Trap (1922 film)|The Trap]]'' 
| Gaspard 
| Chaney also co-wrote the story that this film was based on<br /> Released in the UK as ''Heart of a Wolf''<ref name="lonchaney.org"/>
|-
| 1922
| ''[[Flesh and Blood (1922 film)|Flesh and Blood]]''
| David Webster
| Working title was ''Fires of Vengeance''; re-released in 1927; available on DVD
|-
| 1922
| ''[[The Light in the Dark]]''
| Tony Pantelli
| Later edited down into a shorter version called ''The Light of Faith''<ref name="lonchaney.org"/><br />Only the short version is available on DVD
|-
| 1922
| ''[[Oliver Twist (1922 film)|Oliver Twist]]''
| [[Fagin]]
| Available on DVD
|-
| 1922
| ''[[Shadows (1922 film)|Shadows]]'' 
| Yen Sin, the Heathen
| Available on DVD
|-
| 1922
| ''[[Quincy Adams Sawyer]]'' 
| Obadiah Strout 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1922
| ''[[A Blind Bargain]]'' 
| Dual Role as Dr. Arthur Lamb/ The Ape Man 
| Based on the novel ''The Octave of Claudius''<br />'''Lost''' film<ref name="lonchaney.org"/>
|-
| 1923
| ''[[All the Brothers Were Valiant (1923 film)|All the Brothers Were Valiant]]'' 
| Mark Shore
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1923
| ''[[While Paris Sleeps]]''
| Henri Santodos,a sculptor 
| Working title was ''The Glory of Love''<br />Film was made in 1920, but only released in 1923<br />'''Lost''' film<ref name="lonchaney.org"/>
|-
| 1923
| ''[[The Shock (film)|The Shock]]'' 
| Wilse Dilling
| Working title was ''Bittersweet''<ref name="lonchaney.org"/><br />Available on DVD
|-
| 1923
| ''[[The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923 film)|The Hunchback of Notre Dame]]''
| [[Quasimodo]]
| Assisted as makeup artist (uncredited)<br /> Available on DVD
|-
| 1924
| ''[[The Next Corner]]'' 
| Juan Serafin 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1924
| ''[[He Who Gets Slapped (film)|He Who Gets Slapped]]''
| Dual role as both Paul Beaumont and "HE"
| Available on DVD <br /> Inducted into [[National Film Registry]] in 2017.
|-
| 1925
| ''[[The Monster (1925 film)|The Monster]]''
| Dr. Ziska
| Available on DVD
|-
| 1925
| ''[[The Phantom of the Opera (1925 film)|The Phantom of the Opera]]''
| [[Erik (The Phantom of the Opera)|The Phantom]]
| Asst. director, makeup (uncredited)<br />Available on DVD<br />Inducted to [[National Film Registry]] in 1998.
|-
| 1925
| ''[[The Unholy Three (1925 film)|The Unholy Three]]'' 
| Dual role as Echo and the Old Lady
| Remade as a sound film in 1930, again starring Chaney<br />Available on DVD
|-
| 1925
| ''[[The Tower of Lies]]''
| Jan
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1926
| ''[[The Blackbird]]'' 
| Dual role as The Blackbird and The Bishop 
| A.k.a. ''The Black Bird''<br />Available on DVD
|-
| 1926
| ''[[The Road to Mandalay (1926 film)|The Road to Mandalay]]''
| Singapore Joe 
| The film's working title was ''Singapore''<br />A condensed version with French subtitles exists in some museums
|-
| 1926
| ''[[Tell It to the Marines (1926 film)|Tell It to the Marines]]''
| Sergeant O'Hara 
| Available on DVD
|-
| 1927
| ''[[Mr. Wu (1927 film)|Mr. Wu]]'' 
| Dual role as Mr. Wu and Mr. Wu's grandfather 
| Available on DVD
|-
| 1927
| ''[[The Unknown (1927 film)|The Unknown]]'' 
| Alonzo the Armless
| Available on DVD
|-
| 1927
| ''[[Mockery (1927 film)|Mockery]]'' 
| Sergei, a Russian peasant
| Working title was ''Terror''<ref name="lonchaney.org"/><br />Available on DVD
|-
| 1927
| ''[[London After Midnight (film)|London After Midnight]]'' 
| Dual role as Professor Edward C. Burke and The Vampire
| Alternate title: ''The Hypnotist''<br />Makeup artist also (uncredited)<br />'''Lost''' film
|-
| 1928
| ''[[The Big City (1928 film)|The Big City]]''
| Chuck Collins 
| '''Lost''' film
|-
| 1928
| ''[[Laugh, Clown, Laugh]]''
| Tito the Clown
| A near complete print exists<br />Available on DVD
|-
| 1928
| ''[[While the City Sleeps (1928 film)|While the City Sleeps]]''
| Dan Coghlan 
| '''Incomplete''' print with some wear exists in some collections
|-
| 1928
| ''[[West of Zanzibar (1928 film)|West of Zanzibar]]'' 
| Phroso 
| Available on DVD
|-
| 1929
| ''[[Where East Is East]]'' 
| Tiger Haynes 
| Available on DVD
|-
| 1929
| ''[[Thunder (1929 film)|Thunder]]'' 
| Grumpy Anderson
| Mostly a '''lost''' film; only a few minutes survives
|-
| 1930
| ''[[The Unholy Three (1930 film)|The Unholy Three]]'' (Sound Remake)<ref>Herzogenrath, Bernd, ed. The Cinema of Tod Browning: Essays of the Macabre and Grotesque. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 2008. {{ISBN|978-0-7864-3447-3}}.</ref>
| Dual role as Echo and the Old Lady
| Available on DVD
|-
|}

==Gallery: The Man of a Thousand Faces==
<gallery>
File:Lon Chaney Treasure Island 1920 Cropped.png|Blind Pew in ''[[Treasure Island (1920 film)|Treasure Island]]'' (1920)
File:Lon Chaney Fagin I.jpg|[[Fagin]] in ''[[Oliver Twist (1922 film)|Oliver Twist]]'' (1922)
File:Lon Chaney London After Midnight Portrait.jpg|"Hypnotist" in ''[[London After Midnight (film)|London After Midnight]]'' (1927)
</gallery>

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{portal|Film|United States|Biography}}
{{Refbegin}}
* Anderson, Robert Gordon. ''Faces, Forms, Films: The Artistry of Lon Chaney''. South Brunswick, New Jersey: A. S. Barnes, 1971. {{ISBN|978-0-4980-7726-5}}.
* Blackmar, Frank W., ed. ''Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, etc.''. Chicago : Standard Publishing Company, 1912. 
* Blake, Michael F. ''The Films of Lon Chaney''. Vestal, New York: Vestal Press, 1998. {{ISBN|978-1-5683-3237-6}}.
* Blake, Michael F. ''A Thousand Faces: Lon Chaney's Unique Artistry in Motion Pictures''. Vestal, New York: Vestal Press, 1997. {{ISBN|978-1-8795-1121-7}}.
* Blake, Michael F. ''Lon Chaney: The Man Behind the Thousand Faces''. Vestal, New York: Vestal Press, 1997. 
* Blum, Daniel. ''Pictorial History of the Silent Screen''. New York: Grosset and Dunlap, 1953. {{ISBN|978-0-4480-1477-7}}.
* Dick, Bernard F. ''City of Dreams: The Making and Remaking of Universal Pictures''. [[Lexington, Kentucky]]: The University Press of Kentucky, 1997. {{ISBN|978-0-8131-2016-4}}.
* Fleming, E.J. ''Paul Bern: The Life and Famous Death of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Director and Husband of Harlow''. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 2009. {{ISBN|978-0-7864-3963-8}}.
* Guiley, Rosemary. ''The Encyclopedia of Vampires, Werewolves, and Other Monsters''. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2004. {{ISBN|978-0-8160-4684-3}}.
* Herzogenrath, Bernd, ed. ''The Cinema of Tod Browning: Essays of the Macabre and Grotesque''. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 2008. {{ISBN|978-0-7864-3447-3}}.
* LaSalle, Mick. ''Complicated Women: Sex and Power in Pre-Code Hollywood''. New York: Thomas Dunne Books, an imprint of St. Martin's Press, 2000. {{ISBN|978-0-3122-8431-2}}.
* Locan, Clarence A. "The Lon Chaney I Knew," ''[[Photoplay]]'', November 1930, p.&nbsp;58.
* "Lon Chaney's Make-up," ''Photoplay'', March 1922, p.&nbsp;43.
* Riley, Philip J. ''MagicImage Filmbooks Presents The Wolf Man''. Chesterfield, New Jersey: MagicImage Filmbooks, 1993. {{ISBN|978-1-8821-2721-4}}.
* Sangster, Margaret E. "Lon Chaney" (poem), ''Photoplay'', October 1930, p.&nbsp;40.
* [[Richard Schickel|Schikel, Richard]] and Allen Hurlburt. ''The Stars''. New York: Bonanza Books, a division of Crown Publishers, 1962. {{ISBN|978-0-5170-3771-3}}.
* [[Anthony Slide|Slide, Anthony]]. ''Silent Players: A Biographical and Autobiographical Study of 100 Silent Film Actors and Actresses''. Lexington, Kentucky: University Press of Kentucky, 2010. {{ISBN|978-0-8131-2249-6}}.
* Smith, Don G. ''Lon Chaney Jr.: Horror Film Star, 1906–1973''. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 2004. {{ISBN|978-0-7864-1813-8}}.
* Vogel, Michelle. ''Olive Borden: The Life and Films of Hollywood's 'Joy Girl'.'' Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 2010. {{ISBN|978-0-7864-4795-4}}.
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|auto=yes}}

* {{official website|http://www.lonchaney.com}}
* {{AFI person | 100215-Lon-Chaney }}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{Tcmdb name}}

{{Portal bar|Biography}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Lon Chaney}}

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