Charlie Chaplin's Family
A Brief Background on Chaplin's Family
His parents, brothers, marriages and children.

Linda Wada - February 7, 2004
ednapurviance.org




Chaplin’s Parents and Siblings

Father
Charles Spencer Chaplin Sr.
Charlie wrote in his book he really never knew his father. Charles Sr. was a London Music Hall singer for many years and even traveled to America and performed in New York. Charlie lived with his father for a short of time during his childhood. Charles Sr. died May 9, 1901 at the age of 37 from illnesses stemed from alcoholism.

Mother
Hannah Chaplin
Charlie's mother, Hannah became a singer in the London Music Hall's after marrying Charles Chaplin Sr. in 1885. She had one son, Sydney, at the time of the marriage.

She appeared under the stage name 'Lily Harley', and for a few short years, the couple made a comfortable living singing at the London Music Halls. It was during this period that Charles Spencer Chaplin, Jr. was born on April 16, 1889.

But the Chaplin marriage ended after Hannah was caught having an affair and giving birth to third son to another Music Hall singer name Leo Dryden.

Charlie Jr. was too young to know what for sure was going on and would not fully know about his half brother Wheeler Dryden, until many years later. Soon after, their comfortable life ended came to an end.




Charlie's family - His mother, Hannah, top, his father, Charles Sr. right, Sydney, center left, Wheeler Dryden and Charlie in 'Limelight', bottom.


During Charlie's and Sydney's childhood Hannah suffered from mental illness and had to live undercare for many years.

Charlie and Sydney lived in many different homes, schools and workhouses during this time, but the home they remember most was the one at 3 Pownall Terrace. Charlie would visit that location years later. His menories of it can be see in the room Charlie created as his home in 'The Kid'.

Hannah would suffer with mental illness for the rest of her life. Charlie and Sydney loved their mother as they clearly remember her entertaining them as children. They brought their mother to America in 1921. Charlie bought his mother a home in California and had special people to care for her where she lived her last years. She died August 28, 1928.


Brothers
Sydney Earl Chaplin, (half-brother)
Wheeler Dryden ( half-brother)


Charlie had two half-brothers. Sydney Chaplin grew up with Charlie and was the one person who really knew Chaplin the best. Wheeler Dryden did not get to know his famous brothers until Charlie was well into his film career.

Wheeler tried to contact Charlie but was unsuccessful. Dryden decided to write Edna Purviance instead. The thoughtful and detailed letter is still in the Edna Purviance Collection at BFI Library in London. Edna had to be touched and knew a lot about siblings, since she was very close to her two sisters, Myrtle and Bessie.

The brothers apparently all met up again in the 1920's where Dryden worked in films with Sydney and Charlie Chaplin. Wheeler Dryden played the doctor in 'Limelight'. (pictured above.)

Sydney Chaplin was Charlie's business manager as well as played roles in the films 'Shoulder Arms', 'Pay Day', 'A Dog's Life' and 'The Pilgram'. Sydney and Charlie were very close and visited each other well into their later years.

Sydney died on Charlie's birthday on April 16, 1965. Wheeler Dryden died September 30, 1957.


Marriages and Children

Charlie Chaplin was married four times and had 11 children between 1919 and 1962. This is a list of the marriages, children and brief information of interest.

Chaplin's First Wife: Mildred Harris
They were married on October 23, 1918. The couple had one son, Norman Spencer Chaplin, born July 7th, 1919, but he died July 10th, 1919. The couple divorce on April 4, 1921.

Chaplin's Second Wife: Lita Grey
They were married November 26, 1924. They had two sons: Charles Spencer Chaplin, Jr. - born May 5, 1925 and Sydney Earle Chaplin - born March 30th, 1926. The couple divorced on August 25, 1927.

Charlie's Jr. played in Limelight with his father as one of the clowns. He wrote the book on his father call 'My Father, Charlie Chaplin' 1960. Charlie's Jr. died on March 20, 1968.

Sydney played with his father in 'Limelight' in the role as Neville. He still attends Chaplin events held for his father.

Chaplin's Third Wife - Paulette Goddard
They were married on a trip while traveling near Japan and China in 1936, but no papers were apparently were shown during the time of their marriage. They made two films together 'Modern Times and 'The Great Dictator'. Paulette became a beloved step-mother to Charlie's Jr. and Sydney. The couple divorced in June of 1942. It was at this time the marriage was said to have taken place in The Orient in 1936.

Chaplin's Fourth Wife - Oona O'Neill
They were married June 16, 1943. They had 8 children.

Children
Geraldine Leigh Chaplin, born August 1, 1944
Actress, known for many roles, but first known for her work in 'Dr. Zhivago'. Also played her own grandmother in 'Chaplin'. Her first film appears in 'Limelight' with brother Michael and sister Josephine at the beginning of the film.

Michael John Chaplin, born March 7, 1946
Appeared in 'Limelight' with his sisters in the beginning and played the boy 'Rupert Macabee' in 'King of New York'.

Josephine Hannah Chaplin, born March 28, 1949

Victoria Chaplin, born May 19, 1951

Eugene Anthony Chaplin, born August 23, 1953

Jane Cecil Chaplin, born May 23, 1957

Annette Emily Chaplin, born December 3, 1959

Christopher James Chaplin, born July 8, 1962


Learn more about Chaplin's family life from the following books:
'Chaplin, His Life and Art' - David Robinson - latest edition 2001
'My father, Charlie Chaplin' - Charles Chaplin Jr. - 1960, out of print
'The Chaplin Encyclopedia' - Glenn Mitchell - 1997

Family Home turned into Museum:
The Chaplin Museum
Kate Guyonvarch talks a bit about the Museum in this video from the 2010 Chaplin Conference.






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