On April 16, 1889, Charlie Chaplin, born Charles Spencer Chaplin, was born in London, England. He was introduced to the stage at the age of five by his parents, who were music hall entertainers. After his father passed away and his mother had a nervous breakdown, Chaplin and his brother took to the streets of London to earn money. They eventually joined the Eight Lancashire Lads, a children’s dance troupe, where Chaplin stood out as an outstanding tap dancer. He went on to start his career as a comedian in vaudeville and traveled to the U.S. in 1910 to work with the Fred Karno Company.
Chaplin quickly became known for his trademark look, which included a bowler hat, out-turned feet, mustache, and a walking cane. He began his film career playing a villain with a monocle in “Making a Living” and soon transitioned to directing as well. In 1915, he signed with the Essanay company, marking a significant increase in his earnings. He later signed a contract with First National for eight films, solidifying his status as a masterful silent film actor and pantomimist.
Chaplin founded the United Artists Corporation in 1919 with Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and D.W. Griffith. He resisted the arrival of sound in movies but eventually embraced it, composing the entire score for “City Lights” in 1931. His first true sound picture was “The Great Dictator” in 1940, where he mocked fascism. Chaplin lived in the U.S. for over 40 years but never became a citizen. He was accused of communist ties and eventually settled in Switzerland with his wife and eight children.
In 1972, Chaplin returned to America to receive a special Academy Award for his contributions to the film industry. Actress Sophia Loren reflected on working with Chaplin in his last film and described him as nervous and passionate about his work. Chaplin was knighted in 1975 and passed away on Christmas day in 1977 at the age of 88. He left behind a significant legacy in the film industry, known for his ability to elicit both laughter and tears from audiences. His impact on making motion pictures an art form of the century was recognized by the Academy.
