Charlie Chaplin was one of the greatest stars of the silent film in the early 1900s. He was also know for his harsh criticism on the society he was living in.
1. Charlie Chaplin, the poor orphan
Born in 1889, his parents divorced when he was young and his father past away when he was 12. His mother turned mad and wasn't able to take care of him, forcing Charlie to relocate to the local orphanage.
He started in stage comedy and was soon invited to join on a US tour, where he was discovered by the Keystone studios that offered him his first contract.
2. Charlie Chaplin, The Tramp
His breakthrough came in 1915, featuring in the silent movie "The Tramp" wearing his iconic bowler hat and shabby costume. A role that would be the key to his future career.
Because the silent movie became a worldwide success, Chaplin's popularity grew in exponentially as well. He starred in movies such as Easy Street, The Immigrant and The Cure.
3. Charlie Chaplin, the social critic
Chaplin never hesitated to criticize the social abuses happening around him. For example in his 1936 "Modern Times", he denounced the rough labor conditions that many conveyor belt-workers faced. In 1940 he played Adolf Hitler in a parody named "The Great Dictator".
He caught a lot of headwind in this period for his left-winged ideas, associating him with the communists. Because of this allegations, Chaplin moved to Switzerland in 1952. It was only until 1972 that he was welcomed again by his fellow US-citizens during the Oscars, where he received a lifetime-achievement award.
4. Charlie Chaplin, the composer
During his career, Chaplin composed over 500 melodies, mostly to be used in his own films. He also composed music that he added retrospectively to his earlier silent movies. One song that might ring a bell is "Smile" which was covered by Nat King Cole in 1954.
5. Charlie Chaplin, the family man
Not less than four times, Chaplin got married. Mostly with women much younger than himself. He was 29 when he married the 17-year old Mildred Harris. When he was 35, he married the 16-year old Lita Grey. Eleven years later he got married for third time, with the 21-year younger Paulette Goddard. In 1943, aged 54, he married the barely 18-year old Oona O'Neill. In total he conceived 11 children, with the last kid seeing the light in 1962 when Chaplin was already 73.
original source: https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2017/12/22/40-jaar-geleden-stierf-charlie-chaplin--5-weetjes-over-de-ster-v/
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