Charlie Chaplin, born on April 16, 1889, was an English comic actor, film director, and composer. He is best known for his work during the silent film era. Chaplin's parents were entertainers in the music hall tradition. He made his first stage appearance at five years old and later became a star of Fred Karno's comedy company. Chaplin's film debut was in 1914 with "Making a Living". He founded an American film studio, "United Artists", in 1919. Chaplin's first sound film was "The Great Dictator" released in 1940. He received numerous awards throughout his career and was honored with a statue in Leicester Square in London and a park named after him in Vevey, Switzerland.