Overview of His Life Charles Spencer Chaplin was born in London, England, on April 16th 1889. Charlie was thrown on his own resources before he reached the age of ten...
Charlie’s Mother: Hannah Chaplin Hannah was a singer and character comedienne in the British music halls with the stage name of Lily Harley, and she did enjoy some success. Sadly her career was plagued on and off by ill health, and it was when her voice failed during a performance.
Charlie’s Father: Charles Chaplin Sr. His marriage to Hannah did not last long, and they separated when Charlie was only about one year old. Charlie Chaplin had little contact with his father, except for a short period when he and Sydney stayed with Charles Chaplin Sr. during their mother’s
The older brother: Sydney Charlie Chaplin and his brother Sydney were very close and looked out for each other from their childhood days. Four years Charlie’s senior, Sydney played a paternally protective role to his little brother throughout his life.
The younger brother: W. Dryden The son of Hannah Chaplin and Leo Dryden, Wheeler Dryden was taken away from his mother as a baby. He was touring India and the Far East as a vaudeville comedian when he first learned from his father that the famous Charlie Chaplin was his half brother.
The Gamine: Paulette Goddard Among Chaplin's leading ladies, Paulette Goddard stands out for a number of reasons. She was the female lead in his last silent film (Modern Times 1936) and in his first talkie (The Great Dictator 1940). She enjoyed a success beyond and independent of Cha
Charlie Chaplin's Wives Charlie Chaplin had three wives previous to Oona O' Neill : Mildred Harris, Lita Grey and Paulette Goddard.
Chaplin & Music “Mother usually brought me to the theatre at night in preference to leaving me alone in rented rooms”
Chaplin as a composer Extract from « Charlie Chaplin » by Theodore Huff, published by Henry Schuman Inc., New York 1951
