Michael Chaplin
Michael John Chaplin (born March 7, 1946) is an American actor and author born in Santa Monica, California. He is the son of Charlie Chaplin and appeared in two films with him.
Also recorded as Michael John Chaplin
Michael Chaplin

London Records · Billboard, 15 May 1965 (https: printsec=frontcover source=gbs_ge_summary_r cad=0#v=onepage q f=false) · Public domain
- Name
- Michael Chaplin
- Birth Name
- Michael John Chaplin
- Born
- 7 March 1946
- Birthplace
- Santa Monica, California, U.S.
- Education
- Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
- Occupation
- * Actor
- Spouse
- Patrice Johns (m. married 1965; div. divorced 19??) Patricia Betaudier (m. married 19??)
- Nationality
- United States
- Fields
- acting
- Languages
- English
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
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Documentary summary
Michael John Chaplin (born March 7, 1946) is an American actor and author born in Santa Monica, California. He is the son of Charlie Chaplin and appeared in two films with him.
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Documentary evidence
Documentary basis
Authority files
wikidata · Q453804
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Michael Chaplin • Birth Name — Michael John Chaplin • Born — 7 March 1946 • Birthplace — Santa Monica, California, U.S. • Education — Royal Academy of Dramatic Art • Occupation — * Actor • writer • producer • Years Active — 1952–1966 • Spouse — Patrice Johns (m. married 1965; div. divorced 19??) Patricia Betaudier (m. married 19??) • Parents — Charlie Chaplin Oona O'Neill • Children — 7, including Carmen Chaplin • Relatives — See Chaplin family • Website — https: michaeljchaplin.com/
Career
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
Personal life
He is the second child and eldest son from Charlie Chaplin's fourth and final marriage, to Oona O'Neill. • Illustration — 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.
Commercials
Commercials
• 1966: Pepsi-Cola – UK television campaign during the "Pepsi Generation" era. • 1967: Milk Marketing Board – British television campaign.
Documentaries and Home Media
Documentaries and Home Media
• 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
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).
Works and production
Works and production
The following works and productions are recorded by name or by count.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Michael Chaplin was born at Santa Monica.
Birthplace
Santa Monica.
Birth place
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,
Feature films
Feature films
• 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
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.
Where the work is held
Collections and holdings
Institutional holdings are recorded as follows.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.https://michaeljchaplin.com/a-fallen-godA Fallen God
- 2.Hattenstone, Michael. ‘His success was rammed down my throat’: Charlie Chaplin’s son Michael on fame, failure and finding peace Books The Guardian. The Guardian. January 15, 2024.
- 3.Lewis, Anthony. Reluctant Autobiographer. New York Times (subscription required). 1 Oct 1965.
- 4.I COULDN'T SMOKE THE GRASS ON MY FATHER'S LAWN by Michael Chaplin (review). Kirkus Reviews.
- 5.Persadie, Natalie. Commonwealth Caribbean Business Law. Rutledge. 154–155. 2015. 978-1138024267.
- 6.Beatson, Jack. Anson's Law of Contract. Oxford University Press. 237. 2010. 9780199593330.
- 7.A Fallen God: Peter Coyote Interviews Michael Chaplin Reality Sandwich. realitysandwich.com. 2013-09-10.
- 8.Hattenstone, Simon. 'His success was rammed down my throat': Charlie Chaplin's son Michael on fame, failure and finding peace. The Guardian. January 15, 2024.
- 9.Michael Chaplin Filmography. IMDb.
- 10.Michael Chaplin Credits. Turner Classic Movies.
- 11.Michael Chaplin. British Film Institute.
- 12.Michael Chaplin – I Am What I Am. Discogs.
References
Citations
References
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authority record
General reference
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 15 August 2026.
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