Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin, KBE (London, England, 1889 - Vevey, Switzerland, December 25, 1977), was an English actor, considered to be one of the pivotal stars of the silent film era. Indeed, he created the concept of Hollywood stardom, whereby the public would see a movie based on who was in it, rather than what it was about. He is associated with the popular "Little Tramp" character; a man with the toothbrush mustache, bowler hat, bamboo cane, and a funny walk. His parents were music hall performers.
His first full-length film was The Kid (1921), possibly autobiographical. He was named Knight Commander of the British Empire in 1975. Chaplin composed about 500 melodies, including "Smile" and "This is My Song".[1] Admirers included George Bernard Shaw, Marcel Proust and Sigmund Freud. Chaplin's began his acting career at the age of 8, and his adult height was 5'4".[2]
Chaplin's first talking movie, The Great Dictator (1940), was a mockery of Adolf Hitler that faced possible liberal censorship by governments appeasing him, including in Britain. Yet it was the second highest-grossing movie in the United States that year and today is recognized as being brilliant and prophetic.[3] Chaplin continued to make silent movies long after talking movies began and became popular.
Quotations
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"All I need to make a comedy is a park, a policeman and a pretty girl." "Let us strive for the impossible. The great achievements throughout history have been the conquest of what seemed the impossible."[4] "I think a very great deal of myself. Everything is perfect or imperfect, according to myself. I am the perfect standard." |
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Nickname: Charlie and Charlot.
Chaplin was married four times and had a total of 11 children. He was 54 when he wed Oona O'Neill, his 4th wife; Oona was 18.
Partial Actor Filmography
- Making a Living (1914).
- Tango Tangles (1914)
- A Busy Day (1914)
- The Knockout (1914)
- A Night in the Show (1915)
- Burlesque on Carmen (1915)
- The Floorwalker (1916)
- The Fireman (1916)
- The Vagabond (1916)
- Easy Street (1917)
- A Dog's Life (1918)
- The Professor (1919)
- A Day's Pleasure (1919)
- The Kid (1921)
- Nice and Friendly (1922)
- The Pilgrim (1923)
- The Gold Rush (1925), feature
- The Circus (1928)
- City Lights (1931)
- Modern Times (1936)
- The Great Dictator (1940)
- Monsieur Verdoux (1947)
- Limelight (1952)
- A King in New York (1957)
- A Countess from Hong Kong (1967)
"The endearing figure of his Little Tramp was instantly recognizable around the globe and brought laughter to millions. Still is. Still does"
ANN DOUGLAS [5]