Charlie Chaplin

Charles Spencer Chaplin was born in London, England, on April 16th 1889, and is well known for his many occupations, including actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, composer, and mime. His father was a vocalist and actor; and his mother, known under the stage name of Lily Harley, was an attractive actress and singer, who gained a reputation for her work in the light opera field. Charlie was forced to grow up faster than expected before he reached the age of ten as the early death of his father and illness of his mother made it necessary for Charlie and his brother, Sydney, to fend for themselves. Having inherited natural talents from their parents, Charlie and his brother took to the stage as the best opportunity for a career. Charlie made his debut as a member of a group called “The Eight Lancashire Lads” and won popular favour as an outstanding tap dancer. When Charlie was 14, he got his first chance to act in a legitimate stage show, and appeared as “Billy” the page boy, in “Sherlock Holmes”. Charlie Chaplin was one of the greatest and widely loved silent movie stars. From “Easy Street” (1917) to “Modern Times” (1936), he made many of the funniest and most popular films of his time. He was best known for his character, the lovable Little Tramp. The Little Tramp, a well meaning man in a raggedy suit with a cane, always found himself wobbling into awkward situations and miraculously wobbling away. More than any other figure, it is this kind-hearted character that we associate with the time before the films with speech. Charlie Chaplin is well known for his quick-wit, ironic sense of humour, and radical comedy. Charlie once said "All I need to make a comedy is a park, a policeman and a pretty girl."

Q&A:
1. Charlie, how do you think you progressed throughout your acting career?

Well, I believe I have made a huge impact on acting, and comedy itself. I hope that I have inspired young children all around the world, to fight for what they believe, and do what they want with their life. My choice was comedy.

2. In your quote "Failure is unimportant. It takes courage to make a fool of yourself," what exactly are you meaning with this?

With that quote I once said, it means what it says. Failure IS unimportant. Success means nothing in the real world. And it does take courage to make a fool of yourself, because most people are afraid to se what others will think of their actions. It takes courage to step outside of your comfort zone, and be who you want to be without others degrading you for who you are.

3. With your one quote "Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot, what exactly do you mean by that?

With that saying, I mean that life is a tragedy when you look at the nitty gritty details, but when you look at the big picture, and look at it as a whole, its comedy. Everything is funny when looked at in a comical way. Have fun with your life, because it's the only one you get. Make the best of it.

Charlie Chaplin is a world-renowned idol of many people. Countless people look up to him, and use him as a template of how they want to be, in the sense that everyone is their own person, and should live their lives the way they want, not according to what someone else says.

Charlie will always be remembered, and never forgotten. He is a hero of comedy, and will always be known for his amazing talent, and all of the wonders that is, Charlie Chaplin.

Below is a video of one of Charlie's amazing performances, in the silent era, called The Circus.

IN MEMORY OF CHARLIE CHAPLIN

(16 April 1889 – 25 December 1977)