20 Useless Facts You Probably Didn’t Need To Know
12. Charlie Chaplin Once Lost A Charlie Chaplin Lookalike Competition
Charlie Chaplin remains one of the most iconic characters in all of film. His silly little moustache, eyes that gleamed with expression and series of films (Chaplin starred in more than 80 throughout his lengthy career) charmed the United States from 1914 onwards. This led to several lookalike competitions popping up in honour of the man.
According to The Straits Times (and numerous other newspapers like the Albany Advertiser and Poverty Bay Herald) in August, 1920, old Charlie himself decided to enter one such contest for a giggle when attending an unnamed state fair. Depressingly, he failed to win, probably because he left his trademark facial fluff and boots at home. Even more worryingly for this legend of film, he came in 20th overall, although some papers reported he slotted in at 27th place.
All Chaplin had to do was imitate his own funny walk, but it seems those judging the competition thought he flat out sucked.