Did not enjoy the Hollywood experience as a juvenile. He appeared on
Broadway and films initially to help support an alcoholic father and
family of nine children. He had practically no education as a
result.
Real-life son-in-law of actress Olive Blakeney, who played his mother in all
but the first of the "Henry Aldrich" film series.
Was directed in "Joan of Arc" by Victor Fleming, but told film critic Leonard Maltin in an interview that he (Lydon) did not have a high opinion of Fleming's working method as a director.
(1997-) Runs his film company, Spectrum.
Grandson of professional wrestling champion Jim Londos.
Interviewed in Tom Weaver's books, "I Talked with a Zombie" (McFarland & Co., 2008) and "A Sci-Fi Swarm and Horror Horde" (McFarland & Co., 2010).
Interviewed in "Encyclopedia of Feature Players of Hollywood" by Tom Goldrup and Jim Goldrup (BearManor Media).
From 1950 to 1952, he starred in what is considered to be the first network TV daytime soap opera, CBS' The First Hundred Years, performed live five days a week.
No relation to John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) of the Sex Pistols, despite a popular misconception.