Profile of the Day: Charlie Chaplin

Silent film star Charlie Chaplin was born on April 16, 1889 in London, England.

Image: Charlie Chaplin / Library of Congress

In a true rags-to-riches story, Chaplin grew up in poverty and became one of the most successful actors in the industry. He endured several hardships early in his life. His father abandoned the family when he was very young, while his mother suffered from a mental illness that kept her in-and-out of the asylum. At the age of seven, he was temporarily sent to a workhouse for destitute children. He took on a wide range of jobs to support himself, but never lost sight of his desire to become an actor. His early experiences as a performer helped him refine what would become his most iconic character, “the Tramp.”

A pioneer of the film industry, Chaplin would become one of the most successful and influential figures of the 20th century.

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