About Me
I was born Charles Spencer Chaplin in East Street, Walworth, London on 16 April, 1889. My father was a music hall singer. My parents divorced when I was young, and because my father provided little to no support, either financial or otherwise, my mother, Hannah, supported my older half-brother, Sidney, and I as best she could. She was a former stage actress who gave up her passion to support our family, and I thank her dearly for being my driving force in my work. She deserved better than the life she got; a broken home and a mental illness that constantly required her to be instituionalized. From what I can remember, living with father was hell; he was an alcoholic. and he passed away when i was 12. I won't brag about my successes because those who like my work like it and those who don't don't. I had some issues with women...but now I'm with the love of my life, Oona, and my wonderful 8 children. After I left The United States in 1952, the government charged me with being "Un-American" and banned my return. 20 years later, everything was forgiven. I have been living here in Vevey, Switzerland ever since I orignally came to Europe, and my heart is still there.
