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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 80)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
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
Websitemichaeljchaplin.com

Michael John Chaplin (born March 7, 1946) is an American actor and author born in Santa Monica, California.[1]

Career

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Chaplin's started acting at age six, appearing (uncredited) in his father's 1952 film Limelight, and then co-starring alongside him in 1957's A King in New York.[2]

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.[3][4] 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.[3][5] 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.[6]

In addition, Chaplin is the author of a novel, A Fallen God, a modern version of the story of Tristan and Iseult.[7] 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 life

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He is the second child and eldest son from Charlie Chaplin's fourth and final marriage, to Oona O'Neill.[2]

Michael Chaplin and his girlfriend Patrice Johns before their wedding (1965)

He was first married to the writer Patrice Johns, with whom he has two sons including actor Tim Chaplin. 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.[8]

Filmography

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Feature films

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Year Title Role Notes
1952 Limelight Child in opening scene Uncredited; appearance with sisters Geraldine Chaplin and Josephine Chaplin[9]
1957 A King in New York Rupert Macabee Co-starred with his father Charlie Chaplin[10]
1966 Promise Her Anything Heathcliff Starring Warren Beatty and Leslie Caron
1966 The Sandwich Man Pavement Artist Directed by Robert Hartford-Davis
1971 The Legend of Frenchie King Uncredited French title: Les Pétroleuses; starring Brigitte Bardot
1989 The Rainbow Ivan Brangwen Directed by Ken Russell

Short films

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  • 1966: The Same Sky – Narrator / Lead role; Produced during the "Swinging London" period.[11]
  • 2014: The Innovators – Voice of the Minister (Short film); Directed by Carmen Zografos.

Commercials

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Documentaries and Home Media

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Year Title Role Notes
1960 The Ed Sullivan Show Himself Guest (Season 13, Episode 28)
2003 Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin Himself Interviewee regarding the Chaplin family
2004 The Chaplin Collection Consultant / Himself Introductions for the Criterion Collection and Warner Home Video DVD releases.
2014 Chaplin, la légende du siècle Himself French television documentary
2021 The Real Charlie Chaplin Himself Featuring interviews and archive footage

Music

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In the mid-1960s, Chaplin pursued a brief career as a pop singer in London and the United States, released under the London Records and Columbia Records labels. His most notable release was the single "I Am What I Am".

  • "I Am What I Am" / "Restless" (1965) – Single released on London Records (US, Catalog No. #9757).[12]
  • "I Am What I Am" / "Goodbye Stranger" (1966) – Single released on Columbia Records (UK, Catalog No. DB 7935).
  • "I Am What I Am" / "Restless" (1966) – Single released on London Records (Brazil, Catalog No. 45-9757).

Books

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  • I Couldn't Smoke the Grass on My Father's Lawn (1966), co-written with Tom Merrin and Charles Hamblett. London: Frewin. ISBN 9781199507518.
  • A Fallen God. Publisher: The Book Guild Ltd, 2024, ISBN 978-1-915853-49-3

References

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  1. ^ [1]A Fallen God
  2. ^ a b Hattenstone, Michael (January 15, 2024). "'His success was rammed down my throat': Charlie Chaplin's son Michael on fame, failure and finding peace | Books | The Guardian". The Guardian. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  3. ^ a b Lewis, Anthony (1 Oct 1965). "Reluctant Autobiographer" (Document). New York Times (subscription required). ProQuest 117053462.
  4. ^ "I COULDN'T SMOKE THE GRASS ON MY FATHER'S LAWN by Michael Chaplin (review)". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2016-05-02.
  5. ^ Persadie, Natalie; Ramlogan, Rajendra (2015). Commonwealth Caribbean Business Law (Third ed.). Rutledge. pp. 154–155. ISBN 978-1138024267. Retrieved 2016-05-02.
  6. ^ Beatson, Jack; Burrows, Andrew (2010). Anson's Law of Contract. Oxford University Press. p. 237. ISBN 9780199593330. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  7. ^ "A Fallen God: Peter Coyote Interviews Michael Chaplin | Reality Sandwich". realitysandwich.com. 2013-09-10. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Michael Chaplin Filmography". IMDb. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  10. ^ "Michael Chaplin Credits". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  11. ^ "Michael Chaplin". British Film Institute. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
  12. ^ "Michael Chaplin – I Am What I Am". Discogs. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
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