8. Charlie Chaplin
Unarguably one of the greatest comedians of all-time, Charlie Chaplin’s accomplishments as a cinematic genius and an auteur often take a backseat to his onscreen performances as an actor. In the transition from silent films to talking pictures, there were few survivors. Chaplin was an exception to the rule. As both an actor and director, he was one of Hollywood’s first superstars, drawing record number audiences to the theater—and bridging the gap that existed between entertainment for children and adults.
After years of being in the fringes of Hollywood as an actor, Chaplin the director made a phenomenal debut with The Kid, where he, along with the young Jackie Coogan as the kid, spun magic on screen in what is a masterclass of silent cinema.
Image Source: Variety