Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin (April 16, 1889 to December 25, 1977), born in London, was an English actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, the Tramp, and is considered one of the film industry's most important figures. His career spanned more than 75 years, from childhood in the Victorian era until a year before his death in 1977. The following three recordings are from a speech at the Variety Club in 1952, discussing the re-release of his film The Circus in 1969, and from the 1972 Academy Awards ceremony when Chaplin received an Honorary Oscar.