Lon Chaney was an American actor, director and screenwriter who is best known for his iconic roles in silent horror films. He was nicknamed 'The Man of a Thousand Faces' due to his ability to transform himself into a variety of characters. His most famous role was as the titular character in the 1925 film The Phantom of the Opera. He also starred in other classic horror films such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Unholy Three. He was one of the most influential actors of the early 20th century and is remembered as a pioneer of horror cinema.