7 lesser-known facts about Charlie Chaplin

ST STAFF
02.15 PM
​

Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin is an icon. Go to any corner of the world, and the name is known. From poverty and hardships to become a world icon, Charlie Chaplin is an inspiration. 

He once famously said, “Comedy really is a serious study, although it must not be taken seriously. That sounds like a paradox, but it is not. It is a serious study to learn characters; it is a hard study. But to make comedy a success there must be an ease, a spontaneity in the acting that cannot be associated with seriousness.”

Today marks Charlie Chaplin’s 131st birth anniversary. The legendary actor left behind a legacy and a style that’s even relevant in the film world even today. 

Here are some of the lesser-known facts of the actor who conquered challenges and became a global icon.

A DIFFICULT CHILDHOOD
After Charlie Chaplin’s mother was sent to a mental asylum, he along his brother went to live with his alcoholic father. The two brothers were abused by the father but were rescued by the ‘National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children’.

AN ASTEROID IS NAMED AFTER CHAPLIN
A Russian astronomer Lyudmila Karachkina discovered an asteroid in October 1981, four years after the death Charlie Chaplin and decided to name the asteroid’ 3623 Chaplin’.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Modern Times, The Great Dictator, The Kid, The Gold Rush, City Lights, The Circus, are some of the iconic movies of Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin KBE, a comic actor captivated the audience with his silent films that today are regarded as the benchmark of comic cinema. . . Chaplin's films reflected misery, pain, and agony of the poor, expressed in a humorous way that entertained the lives of millions giving them hope and spurted enthusiasm to take on life. His struggle started in early childhood with the death of his father and illness of his mother that pushed Charlie and his brother Sydney to earn a living by starting early. . . Charlie Chaplin hit his first success mark when he garnered instant popularity with the American audience from his sketch titled, 'A Night in an English Music Hall'. Thereon, Chaplin saw humongous success from around the globe. . A few quotes by the man himself: . . 'A day without laughter is a day wasted.' . . 'Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot.' . . ‘We think too much and feel too little.' . . ‘Nothing is permanent in this wicked world - not even our troubles.' . . ‘You'll never find a rainbow if you're looking down.' . .’Words are cheap. The biggest thing you can say is 'elephant'.' . . ‘What do you want a meaning for? Life is a desire, not a meaning.' . #charlie #charliechaplin #happybirthdaycharliechaplin #chaplin #comedy #movies #thekid #moderntimes #thegreatdictator #films #charliechaplinmovies #happybirthday #comic #comedy #comedymovies #laugh #smile #hope #positivity #positivevibes #viralvideos #Hollywood @ranveersingh #viral #viralnews #Sakal #SakalNews #SakalTimes

A post shared by Sakal Times (@sakaltimes) on

 

BLUE-EYED CHAPLIN
The people had always believed that Charlie Chaplin had brown eyes. This is due to the black and white cinema age; most people were not able to recognise that the legendary actor had beautiful blue eyes.

NO SOUND, PLEASE
Charlie Chaplin strongly opposed to using sound and dialogue in his films. As most of his comedy was a pantomime, he felt it was needless. He also regretted its technical limits.

CHAPLIN WAS MUSIC DIRECTOR TOO
The world knows about Chaplin’s versatility. But do you know that he was a music director? Chaplin composed the music for many of his own films. He composed music for his films such as Limelight and City Lights.

 

 

A SERIOUS ACTOR
Though called as one of the funniest actors of his group, Charlie Chaplin was a very serious person in real life and was different from his on-screen persona.

HIS HOME IS CONVERTED INTO A MUSEUM
In April 2016, his home in Switzerland was turned into a museum named Chaplin’s World. The museum houses wax figures, the film-set pieces and a studio where his movies are screened.

​ ​ ​
​ ​
​