Charles Chaplin, Sr.
| Charles Chaplin Sr | |
|---|---|
Chaplin c. 1885
|
|
| Born |
Charles Chaplin 18 March 1863 Marylebone, London |
| Died |
9 May 1901 (aged 38) Lambeth, London |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1887–1900 |
| Spouse(s) | Hannah Chaplin (m. 1885–1901) |
| Children |
Charlie Chaplin, Sydney Chaplin (stepson) |
Charles Chaplin (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 Charlie Chaplin.
Chaplin was born on 18 March 1863 in Marylebone, London. He was the third child of Spencer Chaplin (1834/5–1897) and Ellen Elizabeth Smith (1838–1873); his siblings were Spencer Jr., Helen, Blanche, Albert and Harry. Chaplin's father was a butcher, and he had a working-class upbringing. Little is known about Chaplin's early life, although the 1871 and 1881 censuses show his parents and family were living in Rillington Place in Notting Hill, the street which would achieve notoriety for the John Christie murders decades later.
In June 1885, aged 22, he married 19-year-old Hannah Hill, who had been his "sweetheart" three years earlier when they starred in the same play. 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 (known as Charlie), was born. Chaplin and Hannah were separated by 1891, and remained legally married until his death.
Although there was no history of performing in his family, Chaplin was drawn to the music hall industry, which was thriving in 1880s South London. He first worked as a mimic, making his debut at the Poly Variety Theatre on 10 June 1887, but soon changed his act to that of a "dramatic and descriptive singer". He sang songs about the troubles of everyday life, such as nagging wives, mothers-in-law, and crying babies, and these were popular with audiences. Chaplin's popularity grew, and by 1890 he was getting regular engagements. The music publishers Francis, Day and Hunter published three of his songs in 1890: 'As the Church Bells Chime', 'Everyday Life', and 'Eh, Boys?'.
Chaplin toured America in the summer of 1890, including extended engagements at the Union Square Theatre in New York City. 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 he made popular. One of the songs he popularised was 'The Girl Was Young and Pretty'.
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