Statue of Charlie Chaplin

A bronze statue of Charlie Chaplin stands in Leicester Square, in the heart of London’s entertainment district. The work of sculptor John Doubleday, it shows Chaplin in his famous Tramp costume. The statue was moved to its present site in 2016 after a spell in nearby Leicester Place. It replaced earlier plans for a memorial at Elephant and Castle, where Chaplin grew up. The square itself has long been the centre of London’s theatre and film world. The statue honours the comic genius who brought laughter to millions. It was proposed soon after Chaplin’s death by Illtyd Harrington, leader of the opposition on the Greater London Council. The original unveiling in 1981 was performed by the actor Sir Ralph Richardson on Chaplin’s 92nd birthday. A second cast now stands in Vevey, Switzerland, where Chaplin lived for the last thirty years of his life. Visitors find Chaplin’s statue beside the central Shakespeare figure in Leicester Square. The square’s cinematic theme was extended in 2020 with a trail of film-related sculptures. The bronze Tramp remains a focus for tourists and admirers of Chaplin’s work.