Michael John Chaplin (born March 7, 1946) is an American actor and author born in Santa Monica, California.
Career
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.
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. 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. 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.
In addition, Chaplin is the author of a novel, A Fallen God, a modern version of the story of Tristan and Iseult. 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
He is the second child and eldest son from Charlie Chaplin's fourth and final marriage, to Oona O'Neill.
thumb|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.
Filmography
Feature films
{| class="wikitable sortable"
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! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
|-
| 1952 || Limelight || Child in opening scene || Uncredited; appearance with sisters Geraldine Chaplin and Josephine Chaplin
|-
| 1957 || A King in New York || Rupert Macabee || Co-starred with his father Charlie Chaplin
|-
| 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
- 1966: The Same Sky – Narrator / Lead role; Produced during the "Swinging London" period.
- 2014: The Innovators – Voice of the Minister (Short film); Directed by Carmen Zografos.
Commercials
- 1966: Pepsi-Cola – UK television campaign during the "Pepsi Generation" era.
- 1967: Milk Marketing Board – British television campaign.
Documentaries and Home Media
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! 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
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).
- "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
- I Couldn't Smoke the Grass on My Father's Lawn (1966), co-written with Tom Merrin and Charles Hamblett. London: Frewin. .
- A Fallen God. Publisher: The Book Guild Ltd, 2024,