Chaplin was 24 years old when he signed for the silent movie company, headed by Mack Sennett. He would make 12 movies in his first year alone.

Chaplin had been performing in England since he was 17 alongside his half brother, Sydney.

His invention of The Tramp became his trademark, and in its time the most famous comic creation throughout the world. He soon began to direct his own movies.

His career went from strength to strength:

1913 Keystone paid him $175 a week.

1915 he signed with the Essanay Company for $1,250 a week, and a $10,000 bonus.

1916 he signed with Mutual, who paid him $10,000 a week, plus $150,000 bonus for 12 films a year over which he had complete creative control.

1918 he signed with First National for $1mn for 8 films, a figure completely unheard of at the time.