Charles Chaplin Sr.
Charles Chaplin Sr. | |
|---|---|
 Chaplin c. 1885 | |
| Born | Charles Spencer Chaplin 18 March 1863 London, England |
| Died | 9 May 1901 (aged 38) London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1887–1900 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Charlie Chaplin Sydney Chaplin (stepson) |
| Relatives | See Chaplin family |
Charles Spencer Chaplin Sr. (18 March 1863 – 9 May 1901) was an English music hall entertainer. He achieved considerable success in the 1890s, and was the father of the actor and filmmaker Sir Charlie Chaplin.
Early years
Chaplin was born on 18 March 1863 in
In June 1885, aged 22, he married 19-year-old Hannah Hill,[5] who had been his "sweetheart" three years earlier when they starred in the same play.[6] Hannah had a 3-month-old son, Sydney John, who was given Chaplin's surname. On 16 April 1889, Chaplin's biological son and namesake, Charles Spencer Jr. (known as Charlie), was born.[7] Chaplin and Hannah separated by 1891, and remained legally married until his death.[8]
Music hall
Although there was no history of performing in his family, Chaplin was drawn to the
Chaplin toured America in the summer of 1890, including extended engagements at the Union Square Theatre in New York City.[12] Although he never reached the height of stars like Dan Leno and Herbert Campbell, Chaplin was successful enough to have his name and portrait printed on the cover of sheet music for songs with which he was associated.[13] One of the songs he popularised was 'The Girl Was Young and Pretty'.[14]
Chaplin's peak years were from 1890 to 1896[13] but, by 1897, he was still gaining work in the provinces.[15] In 1898, he was still enough of a draw to share top-billing at the New Empire Palace Theatre in Leicester.[7] His engagements began to decrease around this time, and his last known performance was at the Granville Theatre in Walham Green in September 1900.[16]
Relationship with Charlie Chaplin
Chaplin had no contact with his sons after he separated from Hannah, and did not provide financial support.
Charlie and Sydney were re-admitted to a workhouse in July 1898, at which time the Board of Guardians tried to locate their father. They tracked him down in September, and the boys were discharged and put into Chaplin's care.
Chaplin was responsible for introducing Charlie to the entertainment industry when, in 1899, he got him a role in
Death
The nature of music hall performing, whereby stars were expected to encourage customers to purchase drinks, led many in the industry to become alcoholics.
In popular culture
- In the 1989 British TV series Young Charlie Chaplin, Charles Chaplin Sr. was played by actor Ian McShane.
References
- ^ a b Robinson, p. 2.
- ^ Robinson, see "The Chaplin Family, Table 1" between p. xix and p. 1.
- ^ Weissman, p. 10.
- ^ Stockdill, Roy. "Famous family trees: Charlie Chaplin". Findmypast. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
- ^ Robinson, p. 4.
- ^ Chaplin, p. 17.
- ^ a b Robinson, p. 10.
- ^ Robinson, p. 13 for separation; p. 36 states that Hannah was still Chaplin's wife when he died.
- ^ Robinson, p. 5.
- ^ Robinson, pp. 7–9.
- ^ a b Robinson, p. 11.
- ^ a b Robinson, p. 12.
- ^ a b Robinson, p. 9.
- ^ Weissman, p. 13.
- ^ a b Robinson, p. 23.
- ^ a b Robinson, p. 36.
- ^ Robinson, p. 15.
- ^ Chaplin, p. 15.
- ^ Weissman, p. 24.
- ^ Robinson, p. 19.
- ^ Robinson, p. 24.
- ^ Robinson, p. 26.
- ^ Chaplin, p. 33.
- ^ Chaplin, p. 34.
- ^ Chaplin, p. 36; Robinson, p. 27.
- ^ Chaplin, p. 39.
- ^ Robinson, p. 27.
- ^ Robinson, p. 28.
- ^ Chaplin, p. 58.
- ^ Chaplin, p. 20.
- ^ Robinson, p. 36–37.
Sources
- ISBN 0-141-01147-5.
- ISBN 0-586-08544-0.
- ISBN 978-1-906779-50-4.
External links
- Charles Chaplin Sr. at the official Charlie Chaplin website
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| National | |
