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Michael Chaplin (actor)

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Michael Chaplin
1965 trade ad for Michael Chaplin
Born
Michael John Chaplin

(1946-03-07) March 7, 1946 (age 78)
Alma materRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art
Occupations
  • Actor
  • writer
  • producer
Years active1952–1966
Spouse(s)Patrice Johns
(m. 1965; div. 19??)
Patricia Betaudier
(m. 19??)
Children7, including Carmen Chaplin
Parent(s)Charlie Chaplin
Oona O'Neill
RelativesSee Chaplin family
WebsiteOfficial website

Michael John Chaplin (born March 7, 1946) is an American actor born in Santa Monica, California.

Career

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Chaplin's started acting at age six, appearing (uncredited) in the 1952 film Limelight.

In the mid-1960s Chaplin signed a book contract with British publisher Leslie Frewin to publish his autobiography I Couldn't Smoke The Grass On My Father's Lawn, which was ghostwritten with Tom Merrin and Charles Hamblett.[1][2] This was a teenage hippie-memoir of drugs and rebellion against a world-famous father. Before its release his father filed an injunction to prevent publication, arguing that it would have a detrimental effect on himself and his family.[1][3] The injunction was set aside by judges for the Court of Appeal, who held that Chaplin's contract was binding because he stood to gain from the work's publication, as it launched his writing career.[4]

In addition, Chaplin is the author of a novel, A Fallen God, a modern version of the story of Tristan and Iseult.[5] His last part in a film, which was also his first in 48 years, was in the 2014 short film, The Innovators, where he was the voice of the minister.

Personal

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He is the second child and eldest son from Charlie Chaplin's fourth and final marriage, to Oona O'Neill.

Michael Chaplin with his girlfriend Patrice Johns before the wedding (1965)

He was first married to the writer Patrice Chaplin, with whom he has two sons. He later married Patricia Betaudier, a painter and the daughter of Trinidadian painter Patrick Betaudier. He has five children with her, including actresses Carmen Chaplin and Dolores Chaplin.[6]

Filmography

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Books

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  • A Fallen God

References

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  1. ^ a b Lewis, Anthony (1 Oct 1965). "Reluctant Autobiographer" (Document). New York Times (subscription required). ProQuest 117053462.
  2. ^ "I COULDN'T SMOKE THE GRASS ON MY FATHER'S LAWN by Michael Chaplin (review)". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2016-05-02.
  3. ^ Persadie, Natalie; Ramlogan, Rajendra (2015). Commonwealth Caribbean Business Law (Third ed.). Rutledge. pp. 154–155. ISBN 978-1138024267. Retrieved 2016-05-02.
  4. ^ Beatson, Jack; Burrows, Andrew (2010). Anson's Law of Contract. Oxford University Press. p. 237. ISBN 9780199593330. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  5. ^ "A Fallen God: Peter Coyote Interviews Michael Chaplin | Reality Sandwich". realitysandwich.com. 2013-09-10. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  6. ^ Hattenstone, Simon (January 15, 2024). "'His success was rammed down my throat': Charlie Chaplin's son Michael on fame, failure and finding peace". The Guardian. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
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