Actor, Playwright. Nolan Leary appeared on the American stage as far back as 1911, later appearing in over 150 movies along with television parts. Starting in the Silent Film era, he worked continuously mainly in bid parts. He may best be remembered as the deaf-mute father "Pa" of the character Lon Chaney, which was played by James Cagney, in the 1957 film "Man of 1000 Faces." He was known for "Strangler of the Swamp" in 1946, "The Tiger Woman" in 1944 and "Make Way for Tomorrow" in 1937, which had his wife Helen Leary as a writer. Occasionally, he appeared as Ted Baxter's father on the hit television series, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." He appeared in three episodes of "Perry Mason." Born George Nolan Leary, he appeared in the Broadway play "Forbidden, playing the part of Second Lieutenant and Luke O'Keefe. During World War I, he served as entertainment for the United States Troops. He retired in 1981, after making his final appearance in the television series "Nero Wolfe."
Actor, Playwright. Nolan Leary appeared on the American stage as far back as 1911, later appearing in over 150 movies along with television parts. Starting in the Silent Film era, he worked continuously mainly in bid parts. He may best be remembered as the deaf-mute father "Pa" of the character Lon Chaney, which was played by James Cagney, in the 1957 film "Man of 1000 Faces." He was known for "Strangler of the Swamp" in 1946, "The Tiger Woman" in 1944 and "Make Way for Tomorrow" in 1937, which had his wife Helen Leary as a writer. Occasionally, he appeared as Ted Baxter's father on the hit television series, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." He appeared in three episodes of "Perry Mason." Born George Nolan Leary, he appeared in the Broadway play "Forbidden, playing the part of Second Lieutenant and Luke O'Keefe. During World War I, he served as entertainment for the United States Troops. He retired in 1981, after making his final appearance in the television series "Nero Wolfe."
Bio by: Linda Davis
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