Charles was born into abject poverty in London and grew up with his older half-brother Sidney in the streets and homes of London. Even as a child, he earned his living performing in music halls. His artistic talents soon became apparent. He became the first world-famous film star during the silent film era in the tragic-comic role of the Tramp. He was a co-founder of the film company United Artists. As a multi-talented actor, he made the leap from black and white silent films to color talkies and became famous for his many films. In terms of relationships, things did not go so well. He was married four times, three times to very young women. He had a total of 11 children. He was knighted in 1975. He died in 1977 in Vevey, Switzerland.