32. The Lovable Tramp Was a Mean Perv
Charlie Chaplin (1889 – 1977) had a great public image. He is best known as a lovable tramp on screen, and an artiste off-screen. However, according to many who came into close contact with him, the real Chaplin and public image Chaplin were at odds. Marlon Brando, for example, described Chaplin as “probably the most sadistic man I’ve ever met“. He formed that impression while working with Chaplin on A Countess From Hong Kong, and witnessed the iconic comedian viciously humiliate his own son before the entire crew.
Brando was not spared Chaplin’s wrath: he was chewed out by the funny superstar – in a decidedly not funny way – for being late, and was called a “disgrace to [his] profession“. Chaplin was not just a meanie, but also a pervert who liked ’em a bit too young. So young as to cause scandal, derail his career, and get him de facto deported from America.