Granville Redmond

Charlie Chaplin - Film Industry Pioneer and Deaf Influenced? Deaf Friend and Prominent Artist Granville Redmond played a vital role in influencing Chaplin's performances Mention the name Charlie Chaplin and all but the youngest of us will instantly conjure up this wonderful comic film character who, through silent movies, brought meaning and entertainment to the masses. Put the name Granville Redmond into the mix and few people will have knowledge about the enormously influential role this artist/actor had on Chaplin's performances. With his mother committed to a mental asylum when he was 14, Chaplin began looking for opportunities at music halls, finding work as a stage actor and comedian. Aged just 19, he began work for the the prestigious Fred Karno company, a contract that took him to America and to the fame and stardom that followed. Admired by Chaplin for his natural expressiveness, he and Granville became life-long friends and whilst he continued painting, Granville began teaching Chaplin sign language, finger-spelling, pantomime routines and the communication techniques that Chaplin went on to use so successfully in his films. Such was his respect for Granville that Chaplin went on to use him in several of his films as well as sponsoring him in other silent acting roles.