| English actor-comedian, director and producer Date of Birth: 16.04.1889 Country: Great Britain |
Charlie Chaplin, an English actor, comedian, director, and producer, is known worldwide for his comedic performances and his iconic portrayal of the lovable tramp character. However, his contributions to the film industry go beyond his comedy. Chaplin was a versatile master of cinema, equally skilled in serious roles as he was in comedic ones. He not only acted in films but also directed, wrote screenplays, and composed music.
Charlie Chaplin was born on April 16, 1889, in London. Interestingly, just four days later, Adolf Hitler, a person Chaplin would later imitate in his works, was also born. Chaplin's parents were both vaudeville performers, with his mother acting in theaters and his father singing in music halls. After Charlie's birth, his father developed a drinking problem and passed away in 1901. At the age of 5, Charlie made his first appearance on stage, filling in for his mother when she lost her voice. The young performer received thunderous applause from the audience, who also showered the stage with coins and bills.
In 1898, Chaplin joined the "Eight Lancashire Lads" dance troupe, but he didn't stay with them for long. He hardly attended school and worked various odd jobs, such as selling newspapers and working in a printing press. In 1903, he landed the role of Billy the Messenger in the play "Sherlock Holmes." Being barely literate, Chaplin was afraid of being asked to read lines out loud, so he learned his lines with the help of his brother, Sydney.
By 1908, Chaplin was already a member of Fred Karno's theatre, where sketches and pantomimes were created. He toured all over Europe with the theater and, in 1910, went to the United States with the troupe. America captivated the young actor, and in 1912, he briefly returned to England before deciding to stay in the US. It was during one of his performances that influential producer Mack Sennett noticed him. Sennett invited Chaplin to work at the Keystone Studios, and in 1913, he signed a contract with a salary of $150 per week. However, Chaplin initially struggled to adapt to the demands of filmmaking, and Sennett even admitted that he had made a mistake in judging Chaplin's talent. It was only thanks to one of the studio's stars, Mabel Normand, that Chaplin was given a second chance. Over time, the public grew to love Chaplin, and films featuring him became incredibly popular. He gained experience and developed his own vision of filmmaking, which often clashed with the views of the producers. This led him to leave the studio and start making films independently.
Chaplin's first task was to shape and refine his screen persona. According to his own recollections, he had no idea how to apply makeup or choose costumes. One day, on his way to the costume department, he decided to wear baggy trousers and a tight-fitting coat. He wanted his costume to be contradictory, so he added a small bowler hat and oversized shoes. To avoid looking too young, he stuck on a small mustache. This unique character became the iconic Tramp, recognized worldwide. Meanwhile, Chaplin's earnings grew, and in 1917, he signed a contract with First National Pictures for $1 million, making him the highest-paid actor of his time.
In 1919, Chaplin achieved final independence by founding his own film company, United Artists, together with Mary Pickford, David W. Griffith, and Douglas Fairbanks, fellow actors tired of the influence of film distributors. The first film produced by his new studio was "A Woman of Paris" (1923), a psychological drama that deviated from Chaplin's typical work and received a lukewarm reception from audiences but was highly praised by film critics, who recognized Chaplin as a true auteur. This was followed by classic films such as "The Gold Rush" (1925) and "The Circus" (1928). The pinnacle of Chaplin's career as a director came with the release of "City Lights" (1931), a film that combined melancholic lyricism, sharp satire, and eccentricity. Although it had only a musical accompaniment, some critics consider it his first sound film. In 1936, audiences heard Chaplin's voice for the first time in the film "Modern Times," where he sang a lyrical song in a fictional language. Realizing the importance of sound in film, Chaplin began working on one of his most ambitious projects. The result was the anti-totalitarian film "The Great Dictator" (1940), in which he played both the fascist leader Adenoid Hynkel and the humble Jewish barber. Critics praised his incredible transformations in one film, and he received an award for Best Actor in New York.
Charlie Chaplin was always politically active and often made sharp statements criticizing those in power. As a result, he was suspected of being a secret communist by intelligence agencies. In the 1930s, the director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover, ordered the gathering of information on Chaplin. The persecution by federal authorities reached its peak in the 1940s when Chaplin campaigned for the opening of a second front during World War II.
In 1952, Chaplin traveled to Europe for the premiere of his film "Limelight" and decided to stay there permanently. Hoover finally succeeded in banning Chaplin from reentering the United States. Chaplin settled in the Swiss town of Vevey, where he lived until his death.
In Europe, the famous comedian continued working. He composed music for silent films, directed movies, and published an autobiography. His last film, "A Countess from Hong Kong" (1967), starred Marlon Brando and Sophia Loren in the lead roles.
In 1972, Chaplin received an honorary Oscar. He was allowed to temporarily return to the United States, causing a great frenzy. In 1975, Queen Elizabeth II knighted Charlie Chaplin.
The greatest actor in the history of cinema passed away on December 25, 1977. He was buried in Vevey, on the local cemetery. However, on March 1, 1978, unknown vandals dug up Chaplin's grave and stole his body. After the culprits were caught, his body was reburied in Corsier-sur-Vevey, at the Meruz cemetery, under a two-meter layer of concrete.
Charlie Chaplin's personal life was as eventful as his career. He was married four times and had 12 children. His daughter, Geraldine Chaplin, also gained fame as an actress. But that is a different story altogether.