Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin

 Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin (April 16, 1889 – December 25, 1977)

Chaplin became a worldwide icon in the silent film era, and is considered one of the most important figures in the history of the film industry. Chaplin's childhood in London was defined by poverty and hardship. As his father was absent and his mother struggled financially, he was sent to a workhouse twice before the age of nine. When he was 14, his mother was committed to a mental asylum. Chaplin began performing at an early age, touring music halls and later working as a stage actor and comedian. At 19 he was signed to the prestigious Fred Karno company, which took him to America. Chaplin was scouted for the film industry, and began appearing in 1914 for Keystone Studios. He soon developed the Tramp persona and formed a large fan base. Chaplin directed his films from an early stage, and continued to hone his craft as he moved to the Essanay, Mutual, and First National corporations. By 1918, he was one of the best known figures in the world. In 1919, Chaplin co-founded the distribution company United Artists, which gave him complete control over his films. His first feature-length was The Kid (1921), followed by A Woman of Paris (1923), The Gold Rush (1925), and The Circus (1928). He refused to move to sound films in the 1930s, instead producing City Lights (1931) and Modern Times (1936) without dialogue. Chaplin became increasingly political and his next film, The Great Dictator (1940), satirized Adolf Hitler. The 1940s were a decade marked with controversy for Chaplin, and his popularity declined rapidly. He was accused of communist sympathies, while his involvement in a paternity suit and marriages to much younger women caused scandal. An FBI investigation was opened, and Chaplin was forced to leave the United States and settle in Switzerland. He abandoned the Tramp in his later films, which include Monsieur Verdoux (1947), Limelight (1952), A King in New York (1957), and A Countess from Hong Kong (1967). He left a legacy of some 80 films (mostly silent) but the icon of the silent screen is forever associated with his "Little Tramp" character, the man with the toothbrush mustache, bowler hat, bamboo cane and the funny walk. Chaplin wrote, directed, produced, edited, starred in, and composed the music for most of his films. He was a perfectionist, and his financial independence enabled him to spend years on the development and production of a picture.

His films are characterized by slapstick combined with pathos, typified in the Tramp's struggles against adversity. Many contain social and political themes, as well as autobiographical elements. During his long career, Chaplin encompassed both adulation and controversy. He was married four times and had a total of 11 children. In the 1950's, he was plagued with tax problems, accusations from the State department of communist leanings and moralistic issues mainly in the form of paternity suites. He decided to leave the country, and settled in Switzerland. Charlie Chaplin suffered a stroke lapsing into a coma at age 88, and died Christmas Day in 1977. He is buried at Corsier Cemetery in Corsier-sur-Vevey, District de la Riviera-Pays-d’Enhaut, Vaud, Switzerland.