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Born
Charles Spencer Chaplin Born in London, England. -
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Signed with Fred Karno Repetoire Company
At age 19, Chaplin he joined the Fred Karno Repetoire Company. -
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Chaplin goes to America
The Fred Karno Repetoire Company takes Charlie Chaplin to America to tour and perform. -
"Making a Living"
Charlie Chaplin appears in his first film with Keystone Studios in "Making a Living". -
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Chaplin Moves to Essanay Company
After his contract with Keystone is up, Chaplin signes with Essanay for a higher amount. -
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Chaplin Moves to Mutual Film Corporation
Chaplin, very much in dmand, signs with Mutual and stars in twelve movies: "The Floorwalker", "The Fireman", "The Vagabond", "One A.M.", "The Count", "The Pawnshop", "Behind the Screen", "The Rink", "Easy Street", "The Cure", "The Immigrant" and "The Adventurer". -
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Independent Producer
In 1917, after his contract wtih Mutual, Chaplin decides to become and independent producer. But first he must wait to finish an existing contract with First National. -
Chaplin Marries Mildred Harris
Chaplin marries his his first wife, Mildred Harris, quietly in LA to avoid controversy after she reveals she's pregnant with his child. She was 17 at the time. The pregnancy was later found to be false. -
United Artists Corporation
In February, 1919, Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and D.W. Griffith found the United Artists -
Norman Spencer Chaplin Born
After the false pregnancy, Chaplin's first wife truly became pregnant and their son, Norman "Little Mouse" Spencer Chaplin was born on July 7, 1919 but died 3 days later from birth defects. -
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Chaplin and Harris Divorce
Chaplin was unhappy in his marriage with Mildred Harris and felt his creativity wa sbeing curbed. He also felt they were very mismatched, so in April of 1920 the marriage ended. -
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Chaplin Finally Independent
Chaplin completes his First National contract and finally becomes and independent producer. He releases his first film in 1923 "A Woman in Paris". From 1923 to 1938 Chaplin made silent features which he is most remembered for. -
Chaplin Marries Lita Grey
Again following a pregnancy announcement, Chaplin marries this time to a 16 year old actress. In fear of being charged with statutory rape as he was 35, they married in secret in Mexico on Nov. 24, 1924. -
Charles Spencer Chaplin, Jr Born
Chaplin's first child with Lita Grey is born May 5, 1925. -
Sydney Earle Chaplin Born
On March 30, 1926, Sydney Earle Chaplin is born. -
Chaplin and Lita Grey Divorce
After a very unhappy marriage, Lita Grey took the children and filed for a divorce on grounds Chaplin was perverted, abusive, and unfaithful. Chaplin payed $600,000 to avoid a bi -
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Chaplin and Paulette Goddard Travel to the Far East and Marry
Immediatly after the release of Chaplin's movie "Madern TImes", he and Paulette Goddard traveled to the Far East and later revealed that they had married in Canton, China on this trip as well. -
Goddard and Chaplin Divorce
Goddard and Chaplin begin to drift apart in 1938 choosing instead to focus more on their work. In 1942, Goddard divorced Chaplin on grounds they had been seperated for more than a year and that they were incompatible. -
Chaplin Marries Oona O'Neill
Chaplin marries 18 year old Oona O'neill, the daughter of Eugee O'Neill. This would be his last wife and they would stay married until his death. Chaplin was very happy with Oona. -
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FBI Investigation and Trial
Following Joan Barry's claim of being pregnant with Chaplin's child and his denial, the FBI generates negative publicity about Chaplin and accuse him of many crimes becasue of Director J. Edgar Hoover's suspicion of Chaplin and his political views. The trial for these accused crimes was held in March of 1944 but Chaplin was acquitted two weeks later. -
Geraldine Leigh Chaplin is Born
Chaplin and O'Neill had their first child, Geraldine Leigh, on July,31, 1944 in Santa Monica, Ca. -
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Joan Barry Trial
In 1943, Joan Barry claims to be pregnant with Chaplin's child but Chaplin denies the claim. In response, Barry files a paternity suit against him.
Carole Ann was born in October, 1944 and the suit went to trial in February of 1945.
The judge ignored the medical evidence including blood tests that indicated Chaplin was not the father and ruled that Chaplin pay child support until the child reaches 21. -
Michael John Chaplin Born
Charlie Chaplin's fourth child and second with Oona O'Neill was born on March 7, 1946 in Santa Monica, Ca. -
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FBI Investogation into Charlie Chaplin's Political Beliefs
After the release of his movies "The Great Dictator" and "Monsieur Verdoux", Chaplin was seen as a very political figure. He was more vocal about his beliefs and many people started to call him a communist. In 1947, the FBI launched an investigation into Chaplin and his possible ties to communism. Chaplin also created enemies in the US when he refused to take US citizenship. -
Josephine Chaplin Born
On March 28, 1949, Charlie and Oona have their thrid child, Josephine Hannah Chaplin in Santa Monica, Ca. -
Victoria Chaplin Born
Charlie and Oona's fourth child is born in Santa Monica, Ca on May 19, 1951. -
Charlie Chaplin Leaves the US
In the years leading up to 1952, Chaplin had been workin on his latest film "Limelight". As the movie took place mostly in England, he decided to hold the world premerie in London and on Spetember 18, 1952, he left the US to go to London for the premere. At this point, he had no intention on returning to the US. His popularity in America had dwindled by this time due to the growing controversy over his politlcal stance and the increasing global political turbulance. -
Chaplin's US Re-Entry Permit Revoked
The day after Chaplin left America, Attorney General James P. Granerey revoked Chaplin's re-entry permit. He said that Chaplin would have to face an interview concerning his political views if he would like to re-enter.
It is later agreed the FBI did not have enough evidence against Chaplin to revoke his re-entry permit and he probably could have gotten in if he applied. However, Chaplin had no plans to go back to America. -
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Chaplin and Oona move to Switzerland
In January of 1953, Charlie Chaplin and Oona O'Neill moved from London to their 37 acre estate in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland.
In March, Chaplin sold his home in Beverly Hills and in April gave up his re-entry permit to the US. -
Eugene Anthony Chaplin Born
August 23, 1953, Charlie and Oona's fifth child is born in Switzerland. -
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Charlie Chaplin Recieves International Peace Prize
In 1954, Charile Chaplin was awarded the International Peace Prize by the World Peace Council.
Chaplin was still viewed as a controversal figure at this time and this only added to that. -
Jane Cecil Chaplin Born
Charlie and Oona's sixth child, Jane Cecil Chaplin is born May 23, 1957. -
Annette Emily Chaplin Born
On December 3, 1959, Chaplin's 9th overall, and 7th with Oona, child is born, Annette Emily Chaplin. -
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Chaplin Recieves Honorary Degrees
In July, 1962, Oxford and Durham universities grant him and honorary degree of Doctor of Letters. During this same period of time, the US begins to show renewed appreciation of Chaplin and no longer feels he would be a threat if he returned to the US. -
Christopher James Chaplin Born
Charlie and Oona's eighth and final child, Chrsitopher James Chaplin is born July 6, 1962 in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland.
This marks 8 children with Oona and 2 children with Lita Grey for a total of ten children to Charlie Chaplin. -
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Chaplin publishes "My Autobiography"
In Spetember of 1964, Charlie Chaplin published a 500-page book, "My Autobiography", that focused mostly on his earlier years. -
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Minor Strokes
Charlie Chaplin suffered many minor strokes during the late 1960s that marked the begining of his declining health. -
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Honorary Award from Cannes Film Festival
in 1971, Charlie Chaplin was made a Commander of the National Order of the Legion of Honor at the Cannes Film Festival. -
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Venice Film Festical Award
In 1972, the Venice Film Festival honored Chaplin with a special Golden Lion honorary award. -
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Academy Awards and Chaplin's Return the United States
In 1972, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded Chaplin with an honorary award.
Although hesitant, Chaplin returned to the US to accept the award; the first time Chaplin had been back to the states in 20 years since his departure. At the Academy Awards he was given the longest standing ovation in the Academy history at twelve minutes. The award was given to Chaplin for "the incalculable effect he has had in making motion pictures the art form of this century". -
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Sir Charles Chaplin
In 1975, Charlie Chaplin was awarded knighthood by Queen Elisabeth II. -
Died
Charlie Chaplin dies in his sleep from a stroke at the age of 88 in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland.
