The Man of a Thousand Faces.
Parents were deaf and mute. His mother was an invalid by the time he was 9.
1912 drifted into the Universal studio.
Had an ability with make-up which meant he could play several roles in one film. Got to be a bonus when making endless cheap movies.
His box office grew steadily until the Hunchback of Notre Dame launched him.
Played all manner of deformed people and went to great lengths to be as uncomfortable as possible doing so.
Unfortunately his first talkie Unholy Three [1930] was filmed when he was in the advanced stages of throat cancer, he died a few months later.
Most horror of the 30's to 50's followed in his steps.