Son and namesake of the internationally renowned operatic bass, Chaliapin moved to Hollywood from Paris to get out from under his father's shadow and began playing bit parts in silent films. He carved a niche for himself as a reliable character actor, one of his finest moments being his death in the arms of Gary Cooper at the start of "For Whom the Bell Tolls" (1943).

After WWII Chaliapin moved to Italy, where he continued his film acting career. It was not until late in life, though, that he really made his mark, when an ill John Huston had to back out of playing the blind, murderous monk