[Fred Brackin]

Richard Henry Benson a.k.a. The Avenger specialized in this. A terriable shock had left his face "frozen" and he discovered it could be molded like plastic. He did use greasepaint to tint his skin and wigs. Even colored contact lens to change his eye color.

Doc Savage had done many of the same things but it helpe that Benson was only 5'8" whereas Doc was about a foot taller than that. Doc did have a trick where he could manipulate his spine to make himself a few inches shorter shorter. Benson was often putting lifts in his shoes to make himself taller.

Also from around 1940 though it's pure SF rather than the fantastic pulps Odo from Captain Future did this sort of disguise thing but as an android he actually was made out of plastic. Even Captain Futuire himself did disguise work and he was 6'4 and red-haired.