16 April-Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin was an actor director and composer who was a native of England. He became one of the biggest film stars of the 20^th century. Chaplin was the recipient of several awards from the film industry, universities and governments. In 1975 he was appointed Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE).

Charles Spencer Chaplin was born in London in 1889. Both his parents were music hall performers and Chaplin began his acting career at the age of eight. Following a successful stage career he moved to the United States in 1910. He was offered a film contract in 1913 and joined the Keystone Film Company. Chaplin worked with several film companies before co-founding United Artists in 1919. He developed the tramp persona and became one of the best known film stars in the world.

Chaplin was involved in several controversies. He was accused of having communist sympathies and was investigated by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). He left the United States in 1952 and moved with his family to Switzerland. He continued to make movies, the last of which was ‘A Countess from Hong Kong’ in 1967. He died at his home in Switzerland at the age of 88 on Christmas Day in 1977.

Chaplain won three Academy Awards and was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1972. There are several memorials to Chaplin and eight statues have been erected in his honour in various locations around the world. A statue in his honour was erected in Waterville, Co Kerry in 1998. Chaplin regularly spent his summer holidays in Waterville with his family.

Charlie Chaplin was born in the year 1889 On This Day.