Actor. Born in Naponee, Nebraska, the son of Ida Pearson and Albert C. Lydon, a stockman for the U.S. Army. He attended Naponee High School and the University of Nebraska and was graduated from their School of Music and Fine Arts in 1927. He also attended Emerson College in Boston. He supported himself with roles in stock company performances and Vaudeville prior to his film debut in 1940. For the next three years he played unbilled heavies or cowboys before gaining his first screen credit in 1942's 'One Thrilling Night.' The bulk of his work, however, remained uncredited for the next twenty years as he established a niche for himself as one of Hollywood's best dog heavies, so-called because the character type was willing to kick a dog. He appeared in almost 200 films and shorts and was voted Photo Press Fan Poll 'Villain of the Year' in 1944. He expanded into television roles, becoming one of the most prolific performers of the 1950s, appearing in more than 100 episodes of such serials as 'The Gene Autry Show,' 'The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin,' and 'The Lone Ranger.' His last role was in the television series 'Cheyenne' in 1962, playing against type as a Marshal. After his retirement, he wrote the column 'Action Shots' about film personalities for the 'Orange County Register' and the film industry magazine 'Classic Images;' he also published five books about his life and career. He was inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1979 and was honored with the prestigious Golden Boot Award in 1992. He was the 1997 recipient of Nebraska's Buffalo Bill Award. He died the following year at his California home at the age of 90.
Actor. Born in Naponee, Nebraska, the son of Ida Pearson and Albert C. Lydon, a stockman for the U.S. Army. He attended Naponee High School and the University of Nebraska and was graduated from their School of Music and Fine Arts in 1927. He also attended Emerson College in Boston. He supported himself with roles in stock company performances and Vaudeville prior to his film debut in 1940. For the next three years he played unbilled heavies or cowboys before gaining his first screen credit in 1942's 'One Thrilling Night.' The bulk of his work, however, remained uncredited for the next twenty years as he established a niche for himself as one of Hollywood's best dog heavies, so-called because the character type was willing to kick a dog. He appeared in almost 200 films and shorts and was voted Photo Press Fan Poll 'Villain of the Year' in 1944. He expanded into television roles, becoming one of the most prolific performers of the 1950s, appearing in more than 100 episodes of such serials as 'The Gene Autry Show,' 'The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin,' and 'The Lone Ranger.' His last role was in the television series 'Cheyenne' in 1962, playing against type as a Marshal. After his retirement, he wrote the column 'Action Shots' about film personalities for the 'Orange County Register' and the film industry magazine 'Classic Images;' he also published five books about his life and career. He was inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1979 and was honored with the prestigious Golden Boot Award in 1992. He was the 1997 recipient of Nebraska's Buffalo Bill Award. He died the following year at his California home at the age of 90.
Bio by: Iola
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