Charlie Chaplin has been firmly back on the big screen lately. In June 2025, a brand-new 4K restoration of The Gold Rush opened in cinemas around the world to mark the centenary of its 1925 premiere and in 2026 Modern Times turned 90 with anniversary screenings across the globe.
More than a century after the Tramp first waddled into view, Chaplin remains the face of silent comedy - the boy from South London who became cinema's first global superstar. Find more legends in our Silver Screen Legends collection.
Charlie Chaplin Fact File
| Full name | Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin |
|---|---|
| Born - died | 16 April 1889 - 25 December 1977 (aged 88) |
| Birthplace | London, England (South London) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian, director, writer, producer, composer |
| Years active | 1899-1976 |
| Known for | Silent comedy, the Tramp, The Kid, City Lights, Modern Times |
| Studios | Keystone, Essanay, Mutual, First National; co-founder of United Artists (1919) |
| Nickname | Charlie, best known on screen as "the Tramp" |
Key Films
| Year | Film | Role/Credit |
|---|---|---|
| 1914 | Kid Auto Races at Venice | The Tramp (first appearance) |
| 1921 | The Kid | The Tramp; writer, director, producer |
| 1925 | The Gold Rush | The Lone Prospector; writer, director, producer |
| 1928 | The Circus | The Tramp; writer, director, producer |
| 1931 | City Lights | The Tramp; writer, director, composer |
| 1936 | Modern Times | Factory worker (the Tramp); writer, director, composer |
| 1940 | The Great Dictator | Adenoid Hynkel / the Barber; writer, director |
| 1947 | Monsieur Verdoux | Henri Verdoux; writer, director |
| 1952 | Limelight | Calvero; writer, director, composer |
| 1957 | A King in New York | King Shahdov; writer, director |
| 1967 | A Countess from Hong Kong | Cameo; writer, director, composer |
A selection of his best-known films from more than 80 official titles. Years are original release years; from The Kid onwards Chaplin also composed (or later added) the music for his features.
Early Years in South London
Chaplin was born in London on 16 April 1889 and grew up in real poverty in Kennington. His mother Hannah struggled to keep the family afloat, and as a young boy Charlie spent time in a workhouse, experiences that shaped the underdog heart of his comedy.
He was on stage by ten with the Eight Lancashire Lads, and in 1908 joined Fred Karno's comedy company, touring North America, where he caught the eye of the film world.
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The Tramp Is Born
Chaplin signed with Mack Sennett's Keystone studio and, in February 1914, the Tramp made his first appearance in Kid Auto Races at Venice. He chose the bowler hat, cane and baggy trousers himself, and audiences loved the little fellow instantly.
He moved through Essanay, Mutual and First National, building his own studio in 1918, and in 1919 he co-founded United Artists with Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D. W. Griffith.
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The Golden Features
The Kid (1921) blended laughter and tears, and The Gold Rush (1925) gave us the bread roll dance. City Lights (1931) stayed defiantly silent in the age of talkies, and the British Film Institute has called it his finest accomplishment.
Modern Times (1936) was the Tramp's final bow, and The Great Dictator (1940), his first full talkie, was a bold satire.
Later Career and Legacy
After Limelight, Chaplin settled in Switzerland in the early 1950s, at Corsier-sur-Vevey, where he lived for the rest of his life.
He returned to Hollywood in 1972 for an honorary Oscar and was knighted in 1975. His former home became the Chaplin's World museum in 2016.
Awards and Honours
Academy Awards
- Honorary award at the very first Academy Awards (1929) for The Circus
- Honorary Academy Award (1972) for his effect on motion pictures
- Best Original Score for Limelight (awarded 1973)
Honours
- Knighted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 4 March 1975
Legacy
- The Gold Rush, City Lights and Modern Times regularly appear on lists of the greatest films ever made
Away From the Spotlight
Chaplin composed the music for many of his own films. His later years were spent quietly with his family at the Manoir de Ban in Switzerland, now the Chaplin's World museum.
FAQs
What was Charlie Chaplin's real name?
His full name was Charles Spencer Chaplin, later Sir Charles Chaplin.
Where was Charlie Chaplin born?
Chaplin was born in London on 16 April 1889 and grew up in South London, mainly around Kennington.
How old was Charlie Chaplin when he died?
He died on 25 December 1977 at his home in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland, aged 88.
Did Charlie Chaplin win an Oscar?
Yes. He received honorary awards in 1929 and 1972, and won a competitive Oscar for Best Original Score for Limelight at the 1973 ceremony.
When is The Gold Rush 100th anniversary?
The Gold Rush premiered in 1925, and its centenary was celebrated with a 4K restoration released worldwide on 26 June 2025.
Shop the Charlie Chaplin Collection
Our Charlie Chaplin tribute designs are fan-made celebrations of the Tramp, printed to order in the UK on comfy hoodies and tees.
Explore more classic icons in our Silver Screen Legends and Movie Stars collections, or create your own design with our Custom Name Men's Hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Audrey Hepburn Career Story and Bruce Lee Career Story.
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