Charlie Chaplin, whose real name was Charlie Spencer Chaplin, was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, the Tramp, and is considered one of the film industry's most important figures. He was born on April 16, 1889 in London, England. His father was a versatile actor and entertainer, and his mother was a popular singer and actress who was later confined to a mental asylum. Charlie also had a half-brother named Sydney. ^{britannica.com 3 1 2}