Statue of Charlie Chaplin, London facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of Charlie Chaplin |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Year | 1981 |
| Location | United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 51°30′41″N 0°07′50″W / 51.511415°N 0.130426°W |
The statue of Charlie Chaplin in Leicester Square, London, shows the famous actor, comedian, and filmmaker. It was created in 1979 by sculptor John Doubleday. The statue captures Chaplin in his most famous character, The Tramp.
Contents
Why a Statue for Charlie Chaplin?
People wanted a statue to remember Charlie Chaplin in London, the city where he was born. This idea came up on December 25, 1977, shortly after he passed away. Illtyd Harrington, a local government leader, suggested it.
At first, they thought about putting the statue in Elephant and Castle in South London. This was an area where Chaplin lived when he was young. However, they later decided that Leicester Square was a better spot. Leicester Square is in the middle of London's entertainment area.
Unveiling the Statue
The bronze statue was first shown to the public on April 16, 1981. This date was also Chaplin's 92nd birthday. Actor Sir Ralph Richardson unveiled the statue in the southwestern part of Leicester Square.
The base of the statue had a special message carved into it. It read: THE COMIC GENIUS/ WHO GAVE PLEASURE/ TO SO MANY.
A Similar Statue in Switzerland
The next year, a slightly different version of the statue was put up in Vevey, Switzerland. This town was Chaplin's home from 1952 until he died.
Moving the Statue Around London
The statue has moved a few times within London. After Leicester Square was updated between 1989 and 1992, the statue was moved. It went to a spot north of the statue of William Shakespeare, which is in the center of the square.
Later, from 2010 to 2012, Leicester Square was renovated again. During this time, Chaplin's statue was taken away. Other statues of famous people like William Hogarth and Sir Isaac Newton were also removed.
In 2013, the statue was placed on a nearby street called Leicester Place. This move helped protect the sculpture while the improvement work was happening. Finally, in 2016, the statue returned to Leicester Square. It was unveiled again on Charlie Chaplin's birthday.
Images for kids
-
The statue in its original location in the 1980s
-
The statue's second location in Leicester Square, in 2008, with the Swiss Centre behind
-
The statue in Leicester Place in 2014
See also
In Spanish: Estatua de Charlie Chaplin (Londres) para niños
