Early Life
Chaplin grew up in poverty in London, spent part of his childhood in workhouses, and began performing on stage as a child in music halls.
Career
After joining Keystone Studios in 1914, he created the Tramp. He co-founded United Artists in 1919 and made films including The Kid (1921), The Gold Rush (1925), City Lights (1931), Modern Times (1936) and The Great Dictator (1940), often writing, directing, producing and composing the music himself.
Legacy
Chaplin left the United States in 1952 after his re-entry permit was revoked amid accusations of communist sympathies, and returned in 1972 to receive an Honorary Academy Award. He was knighted in 1975.
Sources and further reading
Last updated: 2026-09-24