Charlie Chaplin was the first movie star and a pioneer in movie making.
Chaplin was born in London, England, on April 16, 1889. Both his parents were music hall entertainers. When he was five, his father died and his mother could no longer care for him. From then on, he lived on the street and in orphanages. At one of these, he became part of a musical troupe. At 17, he joined a music hall company and toured the United States.
Chaplin spent many years in the United States. In 1914, he played the “Little Tramp” for the first time in a movie. Dressed in a bowler hat, baggy pants, and large shoes and carrying a cane, he played this character in many more movies. People loved the Little Tramp and Chaplin became a star.
Within a few years, Chaplin was producing, directing, and writing the screenplay and music for his movies, as well as acting in them. He became an international star and a wealthy man.
From 1925 to 1947, Chaplin made some of his most famous movies, most of them featuring the Little Tramp. They were very popular throughout the world. Many of these films reflected his liberal political views, especially those he made during World War Two.
In the early 1950s, Chaplin was caught up in the anti-Communist movement in the United States. While working on a film in England, he learned he might not be allowed back into the United States because of his political views. He decided to move to Switzerland. It was many years before he was again welcome in the United States. But in 1972, he was given an honorary Academy Award and in 1975 he was knighted by the Queen.
Over the years, Chaplin was married several times and had relationships with other women. He was the father of at least 10 children.
Chaplin died on December 25, 1977, in Switzerland.
