Born in London on April 16, 1889, Charles Chaplin inherited his singing and acting skills from his parents, both performers. However, his father died when Chaplin was 10 and his mother was in and out of mental hospitals for much of his life. This left the young Chaplin and his half-brother, Sydney, to begin earning a living at young ages. The pair made their way by joining various singing and dancing troupes. As a teen, Chaplin traveled to the United States a few times with a drama troupe and, in 1913, signed a motion picture contract.
Early Success
Chaplin starred in several short films for the Keystone Film Company, where his famous Little Tramp character made his debut in 1914. With nearly overnight success, Chaplin got more money, better contracts and more creative control over his work. He moved to writing and directing, as well as acting, creating some of the most memorable short films of the time from 1915 through 1917. Chaplin married actress Mildred Harris in 1918, but their marriage only lasted for a few years.
Chaplin starred in several short films for the Keystone Film Company, where his famous Little Tramp character made his debut in 1914. With nearly overnight success, Chaplin got more money, better contracts and more creative control over his work. He moved to writing and directing, as well as acting, creating some of the most memorable short films of the time from 1915 through 1917. Chaplin married actress Mildred Harris in 1918, but their marriage only lasted for a few years.
Feature Films
In the early 1920s, after building his own studios to house his independent projects, Chaplin put out full featured films, such as "The Pilgrim," "The Kid" and "A Woman of Paris." Chaplin's 1924 marriage to actress Lita Grey ended in a bitter divorce that was tabloid fodder for years. Professionally, Chaplin was growing more successful. Even though talking pictures were edging out silent films, Chaplin did "City Lights" (1931) as a silent film. His first "talkie" was "The Great Dictator" in 1940. His third marriage, this time to actress Paulette Goddard, ended in 1942.
In the early 1920s, after building his own studios to house his independent projects, Chaplin put out full featured films, such as "The Pilgrim," "The Kid" and "A Woman of Paris." Chaplin's 1924 marriage to actress Lita Grey ended in a bitter divorce that was tabloid fodder for years. Professionally, Chaplin was growing more successful. Even though talking pictures were edging out silent films, Chaplin did "City Lights" (1931) as a silent film. His first "talkie" was "The Great Dictator" in 1940. His third marriage, this time to actress Paulette Goddard, ended in 1942.
Later Years
During the 1950s, when fears of communists in Hollywood fueled rumors and speculation, Chaplin was denied entry into the United States because of his supposed political leanings. He moved his family, with fourth wife Oona O'Neill, to Switzerland and continued to write and direct, producing "A King in New York" in England. He would make one final movie, "A Countess from Hong Kong" and receive a knighthood in his later years. Chaplin returned to the US briefly to receive a special Academy Award in 1972. He passed away in 1977 in Switzerland; his body was excavated from a Swiss cemetery and held for ransom by thieves. It was recovered eventually and reburied in thick concrete.
During the 1950s, when fears of communists in Hollywood fueled rumors and speculation, Chaplin was denied entry into the United States because of his supposed political leanings. He moved his family, with fourth wife Oona O'Neill, to Switzerland and continued to write and direct, producing "A King in New York" in England. He would make one final movie, "A Countess from Hong Kong" and receive a knighthood in his later years. Chaplin returned to the US briefly to receive a special Academy Award in 1972. He passed away in 1977 in Switzerland; his body was excavated from a Swiss cemetery and held for ransom by thieves. It was recovered eventually and reburied in thick concrete.
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