Watched by grandparents, known by parents, but quickly fleeting in the minds of the little ones, Charlie Chaplin is the original "tramp". From films like The Kid or The Circus, Chaplin is the face of silent cinema. Its unique combination of comedy and tragedy is a modern reform of Shakespeare's style. Many would agree that Charlie Chaplin is the Shakespeare of silent films. From rags to riches to exile, Chaplin is a timeless comedian and will always be remembered as the "Tramp". People look at a famous figure like Chaplin and imagine a glamorous life with everything at their disposal, but the last thing people would imagine is a childhood full of suffering and poverty. According to Alan Schroeder, a well-known biographer, Chaplin was born to a drunkard father and a mentally insane mother (22-24). April 16, 1889, the day one of the greatest actors of the cinematic era was born. Charlie Sr. and Hannah Chaplin named him after his vaudevillian father (Schroeder 21). Charlie Sr. was one of the greatest English vaudevillians of the time, until his lips touched alcohol (Schroeder 22). Charlie's father became an insufferable drunk who ended up leaving Hannah and their two children, Charlie and Sidney, to fend for themselves (Schroeder 22). The stress this left on Hannah was toxic. Hannah tried to provide for the children by working as a seamstress for the church (Schroeder 22). Before having Charlie she too was a vaudevillian, but after Charlie was born she gave it up (Schroeder 22). Well, until he could barely afford food. He attempted to return to a stage career, but the work was scarce and time consuming (Schroeder 22). Sidney and Charlie lived a life no child should have to endure. Within a few years, Hannah gave birth to two children... middle of paper... there will always be someone out there who idolizes him. Van Gogh, Picasso and Chaplin will always have two things in common: their artistic abilities and their lack of appreciation until their passing. For Picasso and Van Gogh “going” meant death, but for Chaplin “leaving” meant exile. After a long exile due to his "communist" ideals, Chaplin returned to the United States again after the Second Red Scare had subsided (Encyclopedia of World Biography 439). Upon his return, Chaplin was contacted to receive the academic awards (Authors and Artists for Young Adults Par.2). 4 Oscar Awards and 4 Oscar Nominations were just part of the many awards received (Authors and Artists for Young Adults Par.2). . Chaplin had finally received the awards he deserved. Chaplin was a man who contributed a great deal to the film industry and generated thousands of laughs from his films.