Statue

Charlie Chaplin - statue

Erection date: 1981

Inscription

{Inscribed on the plinth:}
The comic genius who gave pleasure to so many.

{On the chrome plaque on the front of the plinth:}
Charles Spencer Chaplin, 16 April 1889 - 25 December 1977, comic actor, director and producer.

Charlie Chaplin was born in Walworth, London into a music hall family. He joined a troupe of child dancers, 'Eight Lancashire Lads' at the age of 8. At 17, whilst on tour in America, he joined the Mack Sennett Keystone Company motion picture company.

His acting technique was characterised by a high degree of pathos, accentuated in the then silent movies, but he was unwilling later to adapt his style to the 'talkies'. His success enabled him to co-found United Artists in 1919.

His major films included The Tramp (1915), Shoulder Arms (1918), The Gold Rush (1925), City Lights (1931), Modern Times (1936) and The Great Dictator (1940).

He was knighted in 1975.

The statue is by John Doubleday and was unveiled by Sir Ralph Richardson in April 1981.

Unveiled by Sir Ralph.

Site: Charlie Chaplin - statue (1 memorial)

WC2, Leicester Square

December 2013: we came across this statue in a passageway. No plinth so looking forlorn and rather vulnerable amongst the bags of rubbish. It was beside the Prince Charles Cinema, very close to the Flora Robson foundation stone. We don't know if this relocation is temporary or permanent.

By March 2016 the statue had been damaged and taken away, for repair we hope. It really needs to be located somewhere more respectful and where it can be better looked after. We think a full size statue would be more appropriate, but presumably cost is the issue. April 2016: We're told Charlie is now back in Leicester Square.

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Charlie Chaplin - statue

Subjects commemorated i

Charlie Chaplin

Born Charles Spencer Chaplin in East Street, Walworth (possibly, see Londonis...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Charlie Chaplin - statue

Created by i

John Doubleday

Sculptor and painter. Born Essex.

Read More

Sir Ralph Richardson

Actor. Born Ralph David Richardson in Cheltenham. Along with Laurence Olivier...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Edward VII statue - Waterloo Place

Edward VII statue - Waterloo Place

SW1, Waterloo Place

Unveiled by George V, his son.

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
Westminster School - Queen Elizabeth I statue

Westminster School - Queen Elizabeth I statue

SW1, Dean's Yard, Westminster School

Brought to our attention by Londonist's rather tongue-in-cheek post, though we see what they mean about the Polo mint. The sculptor is an...

2 subjects commemorated, 3 creators
Elizabeth I statue - Harrow

Elizabeth I statue - Harrow

HA1, Peterborough Road, Harrow War Memorial Building and Speech Room

Harrow School was founded in 1572 under a Royal Charter of Elizabeth I so this statue is entirely appropriate. About this statue Wikiped...

1 subject commemorated, 3 creators
John Bunyan

John Bunyan

WC1, Southampton Row, 6, Baptist Church House

The statue is dated 1903.

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
V&A façade - Thorpe

V&A façade - Thorpe

SW7, Cromwell Road

Excluding the allegories (such as Knowledge) there are 36 statues on the two public façades of the V&A Museum, on Exhibition Road and...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator