Charles Chaplin Jr. was an American actor and the eldest son of the legendary comedian and filmmaker Charlie Chaplin. He appeared in several films in the 1950s, including Limelight, where he shared the screen with his father. He also wrote a book about his family life titled My Father, Charlie Chaplin. However, his career and life were cut short by a sudden and fatal medical condition. Here is the untold story of how Charles Chaplin Jr. died of a pulmonary embolism at the age of 42.
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What is a pulmonary embolism?
A pulmonary embolism is a blockage of one or more arteries in the lungs by a blood clot that travels from another part of the body, usually the legs. This can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, and in severe cases, death. According to Mayo Clinic, a pulmonary embolism can be caused by several factors, such as prolonged immobility, surgery, injury, cancer, heart disease, smoking, obesity, and genetic disorders.
What led to Charles Chaplin Jr.’s pulmonary embolism?
Charles Chaplin Jr. had a history of health problems that increased his risk of developing a pulmonary embolism. He had been hospitalized several times for pleurisy and pneumonia, which weakened his lungs and heart. He also had a broken leg from a fall, which caused blood clots in his veins. According to OkayBliss, he was wearing a cast on his leg and using crutches at the time of his death.
How did Charles Chaplin Jr. die?
On March 20, 1968, Charles Chaplin Jr. collapsed and died due to a pulmonary embolism in his grandmother’s house in Santa Monica, California. The autopsy revealed that extensive thrombosis of his right leg caused an obstruction of a major blood vessel near the lungs. His grandmother, Lillian Grey, discovered his unconscious grandson in a bathroom. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
How did Charles Chaplin Jr.’s death affect his family and friends?
Charles Chaplin Jr.’s death was a shock and a tragedy for his family and friends. He left behind a daughter, Susan Maree, and two ex-wives, Susan Magness and Marta Brown His father, Charlie Chaplin, was devastated by the loss of his son and expressed his grief in a letter to his friend Lord Mountbatten: “I am broken-hearted about my son’s death…He was such a wonderful boy…I loved him so much.” His brother, Sydney Chaplin, who was also an actor, said: “He was my best friend as well as my brother.”
Charles Chaplin Jr.’s death also affected his fans and admirers, who remembered him for his talent and charisma. He was buried in the Abbey of the Psalms mausoleum at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery with his maternal grandmother Lillian Grey. His grave is marked with a simple plaque that reads: “Charles Spencer Chaplin III / Beloved Son / Father / Brother / 1925-1968”.
