Who Was Charlie Chaplin? by Patricia Brennan Demuth

 Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings incredible man – Charlie Chaplin - a stage performer who rose to the top in the movie industry becoming the highest paid actor of his time.

Charles Spencer Chaplin (1889-1977) was born in London. Both of his parents were entertainers and performed in music halls. At five, Charlie had his first chance of performing on stage.

Charlie and his brother Sydney went through workhouse due to their father abandoning them and mother being hospitalized.

Charlie went through street dancing, clog dancing, then acting in theater. In theater, he did so well that in 1910, he got an offer to go to America on a tour.

He did so well in America that in 1913, he got an offer to make movies. Charlie always acted on stage, being in front of a camera was something new.

He took his chance. In California, at the costume room, he picked everything that was a contradiction: baggy pants, tight coat, small hat, and the large shoes. The final touch was a small black mustache and a cane. He was natural at creating funny scenes: tripping over a lady’s foot and apologizing to a hat. He crafted one of the most famous characters after just 5 days in the movies.

With his popularity growing, he got a deal to both direct and star in his films which gave him freedom to create characters he was interested in.

In 1916, he became the highest paid person in America, and probably the world. He’d gone from rags to riches, and above all remained a humble human being to the very end.

Charlie continued to break the rules by following his instincts. Building his own studio and joining United Artists gave him the freedom to create what he wanted, which was to make longer, more dramatic films. He created masterpieces and was called a genius.

In 1975, he was knighted. He went from being the street waif to Sir Charlie Chaplin.

This biography exemplifies a man who used his talent to purse it and became very successful at it; even at the top of his game, he continuously learned his business. And with following his instincts, he created “motion pictures the art form of the century.

This is one of my favorite biographies which is touching and tear-dropping.

This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts.

Published in 2016 by Penguin Workshop

 

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Break Rules in Positive Impactful Way  

 

Traits:

·         He took risks

·         He created unforgettable character

·         He followed his heart in creating characters that resonated with him but weren’t popular at the time (this is part of industries putting limitations on what to create, which continues to be done in present time)

·         He broke rules in positive impactful way

·         He never stopped learning his trade

·         He was humble to the very end

 

“You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.” - Aristotle