Charlie Chaplin (April 16, 1889 – December 25, 1977)
Charlie Chaplin, who brought laughter to millions worldwide as the silent „Little Tramp“ clown, had the type of poor childhood that one would expect to find in a Dickens novel. Born in East Street, Walworth, London on 16 April, 1889, Charles Spencer Chaplin was the son of a music hall singer and his wife. Charlie Chaplin’s parents divorced early in his life, with his father providing little to no support, either financial or otherwise, leaving his mother to support them as best she could. Chaplin’s mother Hannah was the brightest spot in Charlie’s childhood; previously an actor on stage, she had lost her ability to perform, and managed to earn finance for living herself, Charlie, and Charlie’s older half-brother Sidney by sewing. She was an integral part of Charlie’s young life, and he credited her with much of his success. Sadly, she slowly get sick in mental illness, and by the time that Charlie was 7 years old, she was confined to an madhouse; Charlie and Sidney were relegated to a workhouse (a government facility for orphaned and abandoned children) — not for the last time. After 2 months, she was released, and the family was happily reunited, for a time. In later years, she was readmitted for an 8-month stretch later, during which time Charlie lived with his alcoholic father and stepmother, in a stressful environment.
Charlie Chaplin’s first taste of show business
Sidney left home first, working first on a sailing ship, and later on the stage, opening the door for Charlie to follow in his footsteps later. Young Charlie felt more alone than ever without his brother and as his closest friend . However, there was a bright spot as well in Chaplin’s 9th year — he toured with a stage company, the 8 Lancashire Lads,with a kindhearted couple who led the troupe, and gave Chaplin his first taste of stage life. He also met a young Stan Laurel as part of the troupe. At the age of 12, Charlie’s father died quite young.At the age of 14, Charlie’s mother is readmitted to the madhouse, while Sidney is out of town on an extended trip. Charlie provides for himself as best he can, desperate to avoid returning to the workhouse, until Sydney returns home. With Sidney’s return, young Chaplin’s luck begins to turn for the better. He wins a part in the stage play „Jim, A Romance of Cockney“ to glowing reviews. Later in the same year, he earns the part of Billy in a stage adaptation of „Sherlock Holmes,“ and tours with the company playing that part. The tour continues through the next year, and Hannah is again released, seemingly in her right mind. Charlie was 16 years old at this time .
Charlie Chaplin tours with the Karno troupe, and enters films
Charlie continues in his acting career, as his brother Sidney joins the Karno troupe, again opening the way there for Charlie. Charlie joins the Karno troupe the next year, again working alongside Stan Laurel. Two years later, Chaplin (along with the rest of the Karno troupe) tour the United States’ vaudeville circuit. Two years later, in 1912, Charlie returns with the Karno troupe to the USA, but this time decides to stay. The next year, Chaplin leaves the stage to join Mack Sennet’s Keystone Films Studio, marking a milestone both in his own life and in the history of film.
Charlie Chaplin’s famous Tramp character is born
The pace of film making in early Hollywood seems impossible by today’s standards. In just two months, Chaplin appeared in some Keystone films. Although Chaplin started at the Keystone company as a bit player, with the introduction of his world-famous tramp character he quickly exploded into a major star. By April, at the age of 25, Chaplin directs his first film, ‘Twenty Minutes of Love.’
By November of that year, Chaplin is leaving Keystone, having signed an exclusive contract for the newly formed Essanay Film Company. Sidney follows in Charlie’s steps this time, and joins the Keystone company shortly before Charlie left it.
In February of 1915, Chaplin begins work for Essanay, with greater control over his films than ever before — but not enough to avoid ‘creative differences’ with his bosses at Essanay. However, another milestone occurs at the same time — he meets Edna Purviance, who was to be his leading lady for many of his films, as well as an off-again, on-again romance. At Essanay, Chaplin created many of the classic short films he’s best remembered for, including His New Job, The Tramp, A Night in the Show, and The Immigrant. In February of 1916, Chaplin again jumps to another film company, Mutual, where he continues to create some of his finest films. In both his personal and professional life, his inner circle began to expand. He first hired Henry Bergman (the ‘heavy villain’ in so many of Chaplin’s films), as well as hiring Tom Harrington as his personal secretary, a position which he kept for many decades, becoming Chaplin’s right-hand man in many respects.