Better known as Charlie Chaplin, the comedian-cum-filmmaker received his very first break through, while casting for a role in place of his ill mother. She was also an actress besides being a 'public hall-room' singer. Unfortunately, Charlie's mother soon passed away while suffering from psychiatric and other complications.

The famed comedian's childhood was crammed with the worst kind of poverty. It was from the dearth of money that he later developed an identification with the 'little person' of his alter ego. Charlie Chaplin, with his high sense of intelligence and wit, exploited the misery of that childhood to create his own style, a blending of comedy and melodrama. Though he pursued learning passionately in later years, a young orphaned Charlie left school at 10 to work as a mime and buffoon on the British variety show circuit.

Extreme poverty and social maltreatment inspired a motivated Charlie to build the Tramp's trademark costume; a creative caricature of formal dinner dress with that special lining of moustache that mockingly suggested the authoritative behavior of the time's adult generation.

The 'Little Tramp', with those familiar baggy trousers and a wobbly cane in hand, was often portrayed as a homeless vagabond. During the early era of silent movies it was only the exaggerated, peculiar body movements of a handful of performers that enlivened the audience.

Though for most actors and actresses presentation and expression of particular situations and attitudes were somewhat of a tough job with no vocal aid, yet for the little master, Chaplin, this mute art form always seemed to be the perfect medium.

Thus the world witnessed with great admiration and wonder, a near-miraculous transformation of quite an ordinary young entertainer into an unrivaled ringmaster of performing arts in films like The Gold Rush, The Kid, City Lights, and The Circus all of which are considered to be treasures of the yesteryears' film archive. Later on, some of the talkies he made and acted in, included masterpieces like The Great Dictator, Monsieur Verdoux and Limelight.

Over a decade, Charlie Chaplin remained adamant in his continual production of silent movies. This, was his unique manner of a hushed protest against pitfalls of the 'impolite' social orders.

The great comedian, who lived both in the United States and several European cities, had many phases of struggle. He was accused by women on several counts, including the charge of fathering an illegitimate offspring. However, Charlie tied a knot with Oona O'Neill and had eight children besides two sons from other relationships.

Some of his especially notable recognitions included an honorary degree from Oxford University during the 1960s. In the early 1970s,Chaplin was invited back to Britain to receive a special Academy Award for his lifelong achievement. This was followed by a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II.

Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin died on the Christmas Day of 1977 much to the profound sadness of millions of his fans. His reputation as a comedian par excellence makes him a well-remembered figure on the silver screen.

Charlie Chaplin, the brainchild of the 'Little Tramp' ironically resembled the character in his own true self and like the tramp got repeatedly knocked off the theatrical arena of reality, yet rose to the limelight.