Charles Champlin facts for kids

Charles Davenport Champlin (born March 23, 1926 – died November 16, 2014) was an American film critic and writer. A film critic is someone who watches movies and writes reviews, sharing their opinions with others. Charles Champlin was well-known for his work, especially for the Los Angeles Times newspaper. He also hosted TV shows about movies and taught about film.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Charles Champlin was born in Hammondsport, New York. When he was in high school in Camden, New York, he already started writing for the local newspaper, the Camden Advance-Journal. His family had been involved in the wine business in New York since 1855.

During World War II, Charles served in the army in Europe. He was recognized for his bravery and received the Purple Heart medal. After the war, he went to Harvard University and graduated in 1948. Soon after, he began working for Life magazine.

Writing for Magazines

For seventeen years, Charles Champlin worked as a writer and reporter for famous magazines like Life and Time. He was also a member of the Overseas Press Club, which is an organization for journalists who report from other countries.

Becoming a Film Critic

In 1965, Charles Champlin joined the Los Angeles Times newspaper. He started as an entertainment editor and writer. From 1967 to 1980, he became the main film critic for the newspaper. This meant he watched many movies and wrote reviews for people to read. He also wrote book reviews and a regular column called "Critic at Large."

Charles Champlin helped start the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. This group brings together film critics to discuss movies and give out awards. He was also on the board of the American Cinematheque, which is an organization that celebrates movies and shows classic films.

Television and Teaching

Charles Champlin also had a career in television. In 1971, he hosted a show called Film Odyssey on PBS. On this show, he introduced classic movies and interviewed famous directors. He also hosted a music show called Homewood for KCET, the PBS station in Los Angeles. For six years, he co-hosted a public affairs show called Citywatchers.

He interviewed many film stars and directors on TV shows like On the Film Scene and Champlin on Film.

Sharing His Knowledge

Charles Champlin loved to share his knowledge about movies. He taught film criticism at Loyola Marymount University from 1969 to 1985. He also taught film at the University of Southern California (USC) and other places like UC Irvine. He also wrote many books, including his life stories Back There where the Past Was and A Life in Writing.

Film Festival Juries

Charles Champlin was respected enough to be asked to be a judge at major film festivals. In 1980, he was on the jury for the main film competition at the Cannes Film Festival in France. This is one of the most famous film festivals in the world. He served alongside well-known people like Kirk Douglas.

Twelve years later, in 1992, he was also a judge at the 42nd Berlin International Film Festival in Germany. He also helped advise the Los Angeles Student Film Institute.

Later Life and Legacy

In his later years, Charles Champlin faced health challenges. Starting in the late 1990s, he began to lose his eyesight due to a condition called macular degeneration. In 2001, he wrote a book about his experience called My Friend, You Are Legally Blind.

Charles Champlin passed away on November 16, 2014, at the age of 88. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease, which affects memory and thinking. He left behind a legacy as a respected film critic, writer, and teacher who helped many people understand and appreciate movies.