A Journey Across the Ocean That Changed Everything
Back in 1952, Charlie Chaplin, his wife, and their kids boarded an ocean liner in New York, setting sail for a much-deserved vacation in Europe. What they didn’t know at the time was that once they left American soil, they wouldn’t be allowed back. Imagine being exiled from the country where you’ve lived for almost 40 years—it had to hurt. But let’s be honest, this wasn’t the toughest challenge Charlie, a trailblazer of early cinema, faced in his lifetime. Born into poverty, raised without a dad, and spending his early years in orphanages after his mom was institutionalized, Charlie found his escape in show business. As author Scott Eyman puts it in his book Charlie Chaplin vs. America, “Charlie’s life raft was show business.” But even as he mastered his comedic craft in vaudeville, he grew into a bit of a loner. “He learned early on that he couldn’t depend on anyone but himself,” Eyman says.
Universal Truths Through the Eyes of the Little Tramp
Charlie's self-reliance and sharp observational skills helped him understand some universal truths, which he cleverly wove into his Little Tramp movies. As Eyman explains, “‘Nobody really cares about anybody else’ is the unspoken message in Chaplin’s films.” Yet, despite the tough situations his character faced, there was always a glimmer of hope. Charlie once said, “No matter how dire the situation, I’m always serious about holding onto my cane, fixing my derby hat, and adjusting my tie, even if I’ve just landed on my head.” It’s this resilience that resonated with audiences.
From Star to Studio Mogul
Audiences connected deeply with the trials of the Little Tramp, catapulting Charlie to superstardom. By the time he was 26, he was the highest-paid actor in the world. But Charlie wasn’t satisfied with just acting—he wanted creative control. He used his fame to produce, write, direct, star in, and even edit his own films. “He knew he had the power to captivate an audience,” Eyman explains. It was a bold move, but Charlie wasn’t one to shy away from risks.
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Scandals and Setbacks
But with great fame comes great scrutiny. Charlie’s personal life was often the subject of gossip. At 29, he married a teenager, only to leave her two years later. His next marriage ended in a messy divorce, with allegations of adultery splashed across the tabloids. But when he tied the knot with Oona O’Neill, the daughter of playwright Eugene O’Neill, people expected another scandal. Surprisingly, this marriage was different. “There was a perfect harmony between Charlie and Oona,” Eyman notes. “She fully accepted him, and he valued her in a way she never experienced from her own father.”
However, it wasn’t just his personal life that drew attention. Charlie’s outspoken political views caught the eye of the U.S. government. “They launched a full-scale investigation, opening his mail, tapping his phone, and leaking damaging information to the press,” Eyman reveals. When told he’d have to undergo a new investigation into his morals and politics to return to the U.S., Charlie refused. Instead, he and Oona moved their family to Switzerland, where they lived until his passing in 1977. While these years away from the spotlight were the happiest of Charlie’s life, his work suffered. The films he released during exile weren’t as successful and are not considered among his best. “He always assumed the public would stick with him, but this time, they didn’t,” Eyman says.
