Here are five fun and fascinating trivia items about the one and only Charlie Chaplin — a true legend of the silent film era and beyond :
1. He Entered a Charlie Chaplin Look-Alike Contest — and Lost
Yup, it’s true. Chaplin once entered a Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest for fun — and he didn’t even place in the top three! Some say he was ranked around 20th. Talk about irony!
2. He Never Won a Competitive Oscar During His Prime
Despite being one of the most influential figures in film history, Chaplin never won a traditional, competitive Academy Award during his prime years. He did, however, receive an honorary Oscar in 1972, and the audience gave him a 12-minute standing ovation — the longest in Oscar history.
3. He Composed the Music for Many of His Films
Chaplin wasn’t just a great actor and director — he also composed musical scores for many of his films, including the famous theme from Modern Times. He taught himself music and worked with arrangers to create full soundtracks.
4. He Was Exiled from the United States
In 1952, during the Red Scare and McCarthyism, the U.S. government revoked Chaplin’s re-entry permit while he was on a trip abroad. He was accused of communist sympathies and was effectively exiled, choosing to live the rest of his life in Switzerland.
5. He Was 73 When His Youngest Child Was Born
Chaplin fathered 11 children, and his youngest, Christopher Chaplin, was born when Charlie was 73 years old. He was married to Oona O’Neill, who was 36 years younger than him.
Charlie Chaplin’s birthday is April 16, 1889
Charlie Chaplin shares a birthday with:
- Wilbur Wright (1867)
- Peter Ustinov (1921)
- Henry Mancini (1924)
- Edie Adams (1927)
- Night Train Lane (1928)
- Robert Stigwood (1934)
- Bobby Vinton (1935)
- Dusty Springfield (1939)
- Lonesome Dave Peverett (1943)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Gerry Rafferty, and Lee Kerslake (1947)
- Melody Patterson (1949)
- David Graf (1950)
- Bill Belichick (1952)
- Ellen Barkin (1954)
- Bruce Bochy (1955)
- Jimmy Osmand (1963)
- Jon Cryer and Martin Lawrence (1965)
- Akon (1973)
