Charlie Chaplin was born on the 16th April 1889. The familiy was very poor. His parents were actors. Because Chaplin‘s father died early and his mother often was in psychiatric clinics, he grew up above all in orphanages.
He was just five years old, when he was on the stage the first time.
In 1899 Charlie Chaplin worked as a hairdresser apprentice. At the same time he appeared in „varietés“ and for many years he worked on stage and was very successful.
From 1906 till 1912 he played different pantomimes with the „London Comedians“ and toured around England, France and the United States of America. After a performance of the „London Comedias“ in New York, Charlie Chaplin was engaged for films.
Shortly after this first film „Making a Living“, „Kid Auto Races at Venice“ followed. In this second film Chaplin had already his famous equipment: baggy trousers, too tight jacket, bowler hat, too big shoes, stick and moustache.
After he appeared in 35 films for „Keystone Company“, he changed the film production company.
In 1915 Chaplin moved to Hollywood. He then wrote the scripts too and all films were directed by him. The best and most famous film was „The Tramp“. Meanwhile he was one of the most well-known actors in the world and earned a lot of money.
In 1921 Chaplin‘s first long feature film „The Kid“ with Jackie Coogan as partner, came into the cinemas. This film was the turning point from the curious slapstick towards to the melodrama without forgetting the comedy.
Charlie Chaplin travelled to Europe. Everywhere the people gave him a warm welcome. He was very popular.
Back to the United States of America Chaplin founded the film company „United Artists“ together with Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and David Ward Griffith.
Now began the time of the great film classicals. He even composed music of his own for “The Gold Rush“ (1925), „The Circus“ (1928), „City Lights“ (1931), „Modern Times“ (1936), „The Great Dictator“ (1940), „Monsieur Verdoux“ (1947), etc.
In 1943, after three marriages and 3 divorces, Charlie married Oona O‘Neill. They had eight children.
In 1952 the Chaplin family left the USA to visit England. Then, when the Chaplins wanted to go back to the USA, the american authority cancelled his visa. They said that he wasn‘t welcome.
At this time not all people found his human liberal mind good. There were people who accused him of communist activities. Chaplin always disputed it.
So the Chaplin family was looking for a new home and found it in Switzerland, in the village Corsier-sur-Vevey.
In 1972 Charlie Chaplin got an „Oscar“ film award and was rehabilitated in the United States of America.
On the 25th December 1977 Charlie Chaplin died in Corsier-sur-Vevey. He was one of the most important personalities of the film history and remains unforgettable.
I wrote about Charlie Chaplin, because he is a famous person, and very funny.