Today marks the birthday of Hollywood legend Charlie Chaplin, who was born in 1889. Chaplin was one of the more financially successful stars of early Hollywood, best known for his work in silent films. He was introduced to the stage at age 5 when his mother, an entertainer at the London music hall, had her voice crack during a performance. He quickly took the stage to finish the act.
When Chaplin was 17, he developed his comedic skills with the help of Fred Karno's company, for which his half-brother had already become a popular comedian. Soon, Chaplin's bowler hat, out-turned feet, mustache, and walking cane became his trademark. He was known as a masterful silent film actor and pantomimist who could elicit both laughter and tears from his audience. Chaplin resisted sound films until he played the lead in the 1940 film "The Great Dictator," in which he mocked fascism.
Though he lived in the United States for 42 years, Chaplin never became a U.S. citizen. A vocal pacifist, Chaplin was accused of communist ties, which he denied. Nevertheless, in 1952, immigration officials prevented Chaplin and his wife from re-entering the United States after a foreign tour. The couple did not return to the United States for 20 years; instead, they settled in Switzerland with their eight children. Chaplin returned to America in 1972 to accept a special Academy Award and was knighted as Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin in 1975. He died two years later.
You can learn more about Chaplin in this article from PBS.
