You’ve likely heard of Charlie Chaplin, regardless of your age, as his career spanned 75 years. He was an actor, filmmaker and composer, who hailed from London but found success all over the world. He came from a rough background, but paved his own way to success, working as a stage actor and comedian. Eventually, he was scouted by film producers, moving on to join the New York Motion Picture Company, at a young age of twenty-four. This is where Chaplin developed the “tramp” character— the moustached, small-hatted figure we think of when we hear Charlie’s name today.

Fun Fact: Charlie Chaplin had four wives and eight children (all with his last wife, Oona Chaplin).

Chaplin wrote, directed, produced, edited, starred in, and composed the music for most of his films. His films are characterised by slapstick combined with pathos, typified in the Tramp's struggles against adversity. Chaplin continues to be highly respected, with The Gold Rush, City Lights, Modern Times, and The Great Dictator often ranked on modern lists of the greatest films of all time. So if you haven’t seen them, get out there and watch these fabulous classics. Like our mirrors, they’ll make a lasting impact.