Prolific star of silent screen comedy, with experience in vaudeville and musical comedy. First film work at Biograph, subsequently with Al Christie. From 1915, formed a famous partnership with Lee Moran, concentrating on situational comedy rather than the slapstick approach. The act broke up in 1920, Lyons joining Arrow as actor/director. He died prematurely at the age of 39 as a result of appendicitis.