Happy Birthday, Charlie Chaplin: A tribute to a great comedian

Charlie Chaplin, April 16, 1889-December 25, 1977, was one of, if not the most recognisable people who ever lived. He is famous world wide for his toothbrush moustache (along with someone else). He is considered to be one of the greatest actors of all time, as well as the greatest comedian ever.

He is most famous for his role as “the tramp” in many of his movies. He along with his toothbrush moustache also carried a cane, and wore a bowler hat. Despite his fame and talent Charlie Chaplin never won an Oscar for his acting or directing, though he did win two honorary Oscars later on (so hang in there Leonardo DiCaprio!).

Some of Chaplin’s most famous movies are:

1) City Lights (1931)- This is the story of a Tramp who falls in love with a blind flower seller. It is considered to be Chaplin’s greatest movie

2) The Gold Rush (1925)

3) Modern Times (1936)

4) The Great Dictator (1940)- This was Chaplin’s first talkie as well as his most commercially successful film, it’s a political satire on Adolf Hitler and Fascism. Chaplin plays the dictator of Tomania, Adenoid Hynkel he also plays a Jewish barber.

For his pioneering work in cinema, Chaplin was knighted in 1975. but not before he was accused of being a communist during the Red Scare and left the US for 20 years. Perhaps one reason Chaplin appeals to so many people worldwide, even to this day is because of his portrayal of the little guy in a big world

Some Charlie Chaplin Quotes:

“A man’s true character comes out when he’s Drunk.”

“A day without laughter is a day wasted.”

“Failure is unimportant, it takes courage to make a fool out of yourself.”

“To truly laugh you must be able to take your pain, and play with it.”