Charles Chaplin was born on April 16, 1889 in London. He grew up in a family full of performers. His mother was a vaudeville singer and his father was a vaudeville actor. His father left soon after his birth and his mother was left to care for her remaining two children. In 1898 Chaplin made his unplanned singing debut. His mother Hannah lost her singing
voice in the middle of a performance. When he knew things were going badly, five-year-old Chaplin came yo the rescue and sang his
mother’s song for her. The audience applauded and threw coins
at him. Unfortunately, Hannah was diagnosed with syphilis and the Chaplin kids were put in an orphanage.Chaplin continued to explore the world of performing arts like clog dancing until 1903, when the fourteen year old hopeful joined vaudeville, being cast in plays like Sherlock Holmes. For the next two and a half years he enjoyed learning the ways of comedic timing and props in upper end theaters.
Overcoming stage fright and having loved ones in an asylum, Chaplin moved to the US, quickly becoming a comedic favorite. Chaplin was offered a contract with the New York Motion Picture Co. at $150 per week to join the Keystone Studios in Los Angeles. Finishing his contract with Karno, Chaplin joined Keystone Studios in 1913.
Chaplin married 16-year-old Lita Grey who was to star in The Gold Rush. However, she got pregnant and was unable to continue with the movie. Chaplin’s adultery ultimately ended the marriage in 1928.
A Dog’s Life (1918), The Kid (1921), The Gold Rush (1925), City Lights (1931), Modern Times (1936), The Great Dictator (1940) Monsieur Verdoux (1947), and Limelight (1952).
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