Charlie Chaplin is one of the most iconic silent screen actors of all time. He devised and brought to fruition several characters that would change the course of the film industry, as it were. Here, we present our list of 15 things you probably didn’t know about Charlie Chaplin. Check out part one below, and stay tuned for part two, coming soon!
Number Fifteen: He Made His Stage Debut When He Was Very Young. Both of Chaplin’s parents were entertainers, so Chaplin spent a lot of time around performers. When he was just five years old, his mother suddenly lost her voice on stage, and he came up to replace his mother.
Number Fourteen: He Grew Up in an Orphanage, Even Though He Was Not an Orphan. Chaplin’s mother had very poor health, and so most of the money she made was spent on her own health. Eventually, his family was so poor that Chaplin and his half-brother had to be sent to a boarding school designed for “orphans and destitute children.”
Number Thirteen: He Hated His First Film. His first film was playing a swindler in Making a Living. However, later, he said that his performance was “stiff,” and he hated the way he came off.
Number Twelve: He Mostly Played the Same Character. In all but a few of his movies, Chaplin played the same exact character. His Little Tramp character became what he was most well-known for.
Number Eleven: He Was a Millionaire. Chaplin signed with the Mutual Film Corporation for $670,000 per year, and he then agreed to make eight comedy productions for First National for more than $1 million. He said, “I went into the business for money, and the art grew out of it. If people are disillusioned by that remark, I can’t help it. It’s the truth.”
Number Ten: He Did Not Like “Talkies.” Chaplin was very hesitant in adopting sound in his films. He was afraid it would ruin his character of the Little Tramp.
Number Nine: He Married Three Teenagers. In 1918, Chaplin married 17-year-old Mildred Harris. He also married 16-year-old Lita Grey, and in 1943, he married 18-year-old Oona O’Neill when he was 54 years old.