What you didn't know about Charlie (Charles) Chaplin
“Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long shot.”
- Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin, easily one of the most recognizable faces in cinema, sprung to stardom from humble roots in London, England, and changed the face of cinema in a way few even thought possible.
1. Performing was in the Chaplin genes
Charlie’s parents, Charles and Hannah (Hill) Chaplin, were both stage performers. His father left London when Charlie was still very young to pursue a career in New York City. Meanwhile, his mother continued to perform despite having a singing voice that would break at the most inopportune moments.
2. Actor, writer, director… dancer?
Chaplin proved himself resourceful at a young age when he joined a dance troupe called the Eight Lancashire Lads. His time with the troupe was brief, and he went on to hold odd jobs throughout his early career — he was even a butler!
3. Chaplin was an accomplished composer and musician
Although he is most recognized for his work in film, Chaplin was also a highly accomplished musician. Many of his short films were not only written, directed by, and starring Chaplin, but they also include scores composed by the man himself. The only Oscar he ever received was for “Best Dramatic Score” for 1952’s Limelight.
4. 1 year, 1 character, 35 films
From 1914 to 1915, Chaplin appeared in 35 films, in many of which he played the infamous Tramp. He would continue to make an incredible number of films, and until his last few films, Chaplin rarely worked with a script. He would formulate a story in his head, shoot hours and hours of footage that would rarely make the cut, and release a final product only when he was 100% satisfied.
5. Ol’ Blue Eyes
Chaplin had stunningly blue eyes, but most people believe them to be brown because they only see him in black and white movies with black eye makeup on. Maybe that is why he once lost a Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest (so the story goes).
6. He was the first actor to appear on TIME’s cover
In 1925 Time Magazine featured an article on Chaplin’s film The Gold Rush. He wrote, directed, and starred in the film that went on to be nominated for two Oscars. Chaplin stated this is the film he wanted to be most remembered for.
7. He became a father 11 (almost 12) times
He was married a total of four times, too. All of his wives were considerably younger than he was. Oona, his fourth wife, was just 18 when they married. Chaplin was 54 at the time, and they went on to have eight children together. His eldest son, Charles, was born when Charlie was 73.
8. Un-American?
Even with all of the work Chaplin did in the United States, he never applied for citizenship. Chaplin was denied entry into the United States unless he could prove his “moral worth.” He settled in Switzerland instead.
9. Honorable Academy Award winner
Chaplin returned to the United States in 1972 to accept an honorary Academy Award for his contributions to cinema. He received a 12-minute standing ovation after blowing kisses to his Hollywood audience and tearfully accepting the award.
10. He was grave-robbed
Charles Spencer Chaplin passed away of natural causes in his home in Switzerland on Christmas Day, 1977. Shortly after he was buried, his body was stolen from his grave, and it wasn’t recovered for nearly three months. Following the incident he was re-buried in a vault surrounded by cement.
