Charlie Chaplin lost a Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest

As silent screen actor Charlie Chaplin became famous, Charlie Chaplin look-alike contests became a popular form of entertainment and continued for several years.

The contests selected the one who best imitated the "tramp" character popularized by Chaplin.

Legend has it that Chaplin himself once entered -- and lost -- one of these competitions.

It is usually said the contest was held in Monte Carlo or Switzerland, and that he came in second or third.

In another such competition, Chaplin did indeed do poorly. It was a Chaplin look-alike contest that took place in a San Francisco theater. His final standing is not recorded, although it was noted that he "failed even to make the finals."

Chaplin told a reporter at this time that he was "tempted to give lessons in the Chaplin walk, out of pity as well as in the desire to see the thing done correctly."

It is interesting to note that, unlike film stars of today, Chaplin was seldom recognized without his makeup, fake mustache and derby hat used in his portrayal of “The Tramp” as shown above.

It is also said that a rising young actor/comedian named Bob Hope took first prize in a Chaplin look-alike contest in Cleveland.

Link