1889 Charlie Chaplin is born

125 years ago, on April 16, 1889, Charlie (Charles Spencer) Chaplin was born, one of the greatest masters of American and world cinema - actor, director, screenwriter and composer. In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked Chaplin 10th on their list of the 100 Greatest Male Movie Stars. Among his films are such masterpieces as "Gold Rush", "City Lights", "Modern Times" and "The Great Dictator".

London-born Chaplin was never an American citizen. In 1952, during the McCarthy era, he was banned from entering the United States. However, Chaplin was not involved in the hearings at the Un-American Activities Commission. Chaplin, who settled in Switzerland, came to the United States for a short time only in 1972 - to receive an honorary Oscar. And in 1975, the British Queen Elizabeth II elevated him to knighthood.