Born in England in 1889, Charles Chaplin's career began in legitimate stage then moved to vaudeville where he created his pantomime persona 'the little tramp'. Chaplin first came to the US in 1910 left the stage to made over 50 silent films and shorts. Chaplin was a founder of the United Artists Agency and scored many of his own films. Refusing to answer to charges of communism(later proved to be false), Chaplin moved to Europe in 1952. He received a special Oscar for his achievements in 1972 and was knighted in 1975. He passed away quietly in his sleep on Christmas morning, 1977.