Though Lon Chaney Jr. was the son of Hollywood royalty, he wasn’t especially interested in using his father’s name as an advantage early on in his career.

Chaney Jr., known for films like Man-Made Monster (1941) and The Wolf Man (1941), was the son of actor Lon Chaney, who had previously starred in movies like The Phantom of the Opera (1925).

Chaney Jr. admitted that before he even joined the ranks of the Hollywood elite, he frequently refused to use his real last name.

“I didn’t want to use my father’s name to get into pictures,” said Chaney during an interview with the Ridder News Service. “I wanted to do something on my own. I worked as a laborer, a field hand and lots of things.”

Of course, the younger Chaney gravitated toward performing, though he dealt with the usual anxieties an actor must endure. “I hated the stage,” said the actor. “I used to get sick every time I had to go on.”

Eventually, those representing the younger Chaney convinced him to use his real last name.

“They talked me into using my father’s name,” said the actor. “I fought it, but they thought it would help make people pay attention to me. I had to admit they were right.”

However, Chaney found there was something his father had that was more valuable than a name: advice.

“My father taught me all there is to know about acting,” said Chaney during an interview with the Copley News Service. “For perfection in a role, he used to go right to the source and really get involved with the character he was to portray on film.”