Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin was born in 1889 in London, England. Charlie Chaplin's background is described as English; music-hall performer parents. Growing up, the family was in poverty — father absent and died of alcoholism; mother committed to an asylum; he entered a workhouse at seven. A London workhouse child at seven; co-owned a Hollywood studio by thirty.

Born

1889 · London, England

Roots

English; music-hall performer parents

Family

Poverty

Father absent and died of alcoholism; mother committed to an asylum; he entered a workhouse at seven.

Education

Little formal schooling; on stage from childhood

Started with

The stage

Joined a clog-dancing troupe as a boy to earn a living.

Affiliations & societies

None documented.

Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.

The pathway

1. 1896 · age 7
   The workhouse

   Sent to a Lambeth workhouse and pauper schools as the family collapses.

2. 1898 · age 9
   On stage

   Tours with the Eight Lancashire Lads clog-dancing troupe.

3. 1913 · age 24
   Keystone contract$150/week

   Spotted on a US vaudeville tour.

4. 1914 · age 25
   The Tramp

   Improvises the costume that becomes the most recognizable figure in film.

5. 1916 · age 26
   Highest-paid entertainer$670K/yr

   The Mutual contract makes him one of the world's best-paid people.

6. 1919 · age 30
   Co-founds United Artists

   With Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and D.W. Griffith — stars owning the studio.

7. 1952 · age 63
   Exile

   His US re-entry permit is revoked amid McCarthy-era accusations; he settles in Switzerland.

8. 1972 · age 82
   Returns for an honorary Oscar

   Receives a twelve-minute ovation.