We are led to believe that the only way to succeed in life and live the “American Dream” in this day and age is to earn a (college diploma). However, celebrities, such as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, dropped out of college and still succeeded. In fact, despite never receiving a college diploma, Charlie Chaplin was so politically influential that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) considered him a threat. They investigated him so thoroughly that the final report was over 2,000 pages long.

Charles Spencer Chaplin rose to fame in 1913 with his slapstick comedy films. He appeared on the scene at a time when people were tired of an environment dominated by World War I and were eager for a few good laughs. As he rose to fame, his movies became more and more laden with political messages. His most politically charged movie was The Great Dictator, a satire of Hitler. At the time of its release, though, the United States was still neutral, and Chaplin was viewed as trying to incite war.

Because Chaplin is vocal about his left-wing opinions, he was accused of being Communist. It didn’t help his precarious political position that he rose to the defense of others accused of being Communist during the Red Scare. Eventually, he was also issued a subpoena by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). In response, he invited the committee to watch his latest film, Monsieur Verdoux, which sent them the message that he would fight back, and HUAC, realizing the instability of their case against Chaplin and the influence he held over the public, retracted the subpoena. Chaplin later said that he had planned on going to court as his famous character the Little Tramp, turning it into a farce.

The FBI tried another tactic. They concentrated on his assertions that Soviet interests were the same as American interests, as well as his personal life. In spite of allying with the Soviets during World War II, people did not agree with Chaplin’s claims. His unpatriotic political views did not have much impact on his popularity, though.

The FBI’s focus on his personal life, however, did garner a response from the public. Chaplin had been a ladies’ man when he was younger, and his three failed marriages did not help his image. He was portrayed as viewing All-American values, such as having a stable family and home, with disdain. In June 1943, an unmarried woman filed a paternity suit against Chaplin. He was also charged with violating the Mann Act, a federal law against prostitution and other immoral activities. Blood tests later showed the claims of Chaplin being the father to be false. He was cleared of all charges, but his reputation was irreparably tarnished.

When Chaplin left for a London premiere of his film Limelight, which was boycotted in the United States, in 1952, President Truman’s attorney general revoked his re-entry permit. Because he never became a United States citizen, it would be twenty years before Chaplin returned to the United States to accept an Academy Award for his re-released film Limelight.

Other Relevant Information

- Charlie Chaplin's Filmography

- Charlie Chaplin's Biography

- The History of the Mann Act