Charlie Chaplin signed portraitAn ink portrait of Charlie Chaplin signed by Chaplin himself Dated to 1952, around the release of Limelight Charlie Chaplin was the biggest star of the silent era. Born into poverty in Victorian London, he found his way to the stage and on to Hollywood. He came up with the character of the Tramp in 1914. By 1918 he was a household name. A string of classic movies followed, including The Kid (1921), Modern Times (1936) and The Great Dictator (1940).