Enduring appeal of the Little Tramp

AS one of the 20th century’s most recognisable icons, it’s little wonder Charlie Chaplin is a popular choice for street impersonators. Born in 1889 into grinding poverty, his rise – through his Little Tramp character, to Hollywood superstar and celluloid icon is the ultimate rags to riches story. It wasn’t all highs, though. Scandal and the Mccarthy witchhunt saw his popularity wane and he fled to Switzerland dying in 1977.