Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin was one of the greatest icons of the silent film era. Born in London in 1889, Chaplin began his career in the entertainment industry at a young age, touring music halls and later working as a stage actor and comedian. It was during this time that he honed his skills as a physical comedian, developing the trademark antics and mannerisms that would make him a star on the silver screen. In 1914, Chaplin made his film debut in the Keystone Studios short film Making a Living. Over the course of the next two decades, Chaplin went on to become one of the most recognizable faces on the big screen, known for his iconic character "The Tramp" and his unique blend of physical comedy and social commentary. His films included such classics as The Kid (1921), The Gold Rush (1925), and Modern Times (1936). As a writer, director, and actor, he was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his perfectionist approach to filmmaking. His first sound film was The Great Dictator (1940), which satirized Adolf Hitler. He abandoned "The Tramp" in his later films, which include Monsieur Verdoux (1947) and Limelight (1952). In 1972, Chaplin received an Honorary Academy Award for "the incalculable effect he has had in making motion pictures the art form of this century". A number of his films are available to stream online for free.
