"Buster Keaton" Silent Film Star....lost his wife,children, home, wealth and was committed to a sanitarium

Buster Keaton's personal life was as dramatic and sometimes tumultuous as his onscreen antics. Born into a vaudeville family, his early years were spent on the road with his parents, Joe and Myra Keaton, who were also performers. His father’s harsh treatment and heavy drinking created a challenging environment, and young Keaton learned early on to mask his emotions—something that later became central to his "stone-faced" screen persona. Keaton’s first marriage was to actress Natalie Talmadge in 1921. Talmadge was part of the influential Talmadge family, a dynasty of film actresses that included her sisters Norma and Constance Talmadge. The couple had two sons, James and Robert, but the marriage was strained by personal and financial issues. Natalie eventually divorced Keaton in 1932, a painful split that cost him his home, his children, and much of his wealth. The 1930s were a difficult period for Keaton, marked by his struggles with alcoholism and a series of financial troubles after losing control over his films. His MGM contract, which limited his creative freedom, led to frustration, and his drinking worsened, leading to multiple failed marriages and a brief period in a sanitarium. Despite these setbacks, Keaton managed to overcome his alcoholism in the early 1940s. In 1940, Keaton married his third wife, Eleanor Norris, a dancer 23 years his junior, who would become a steadying force in his life. Eleanor encouraged Keaton to get involved in television and live performances, which helped revive his career. The two remained married until his death, and their relationship marked a time of stability and contentment for Keaton. Eleanor was instrumental in helping him recover from his past and find renewed happiness in his later years. Keaton spent his final years in Woodland Hills, California, where he lived a quieter life, enjoying activities like fishing and golf. He died on February 1, 1966, at the age of 70. His life, though marked by hardship, was also filled with resilience, and he left behind a legacy as one of cinema’s most beloved and enduring figures.

BJ 🙈🙉😂

"Charlie Chaplain" ...Did You Know He Was Exiled From The United States !

Charlie Chaplin’s life was as dramatic off-screen as it was in his films. He was a comedic genius, but his personal life, relationships, and political views generated significant controversy, ultimately leading to his exile from the United States.

 Early Life and Personal Struggles: Chaplin was born in London in 1889 into a life of poverty. His childhood was difficult, with both of his parents struggling with mental health issues. His mother was committed to an asylum when he was young, and his father died when he was just 12. These hardships shaped his empathetic view toward the underprivileged, which he later expressed in his work.

 Chaplin’s personal life was marked by multiple controversial relationships, often with much younger women. He married four times: Mildred Harris - His first marriage in 1918 to actress Mildred Harris ended in divorce after two years. Lita Grey - In 1924, Chaplin married actress Lita Grey when she was just 16, and he was 35. They had two children but had a tumultuous and highly publicized divorce. Paulette Goddard - In 1936, he married actress Paulette Goddard, but they divorced in 1942. Oona O'Neill - His final marriage, and the most successful, was to Oona O'Neill in 1943. She was the daughter of playwright Eugene O'Neill and just 18 when she married the 54-year-old Chaplin. They stayed together until his death and had eight children. 

Political Views and Exile from the United States:                            During the 1930s and 40s, Chaplin’s political views attracted controversy. He was outspoken on issues like poverty, social justice, and anti-fascism, themes reflected in his films like "Modern Times" and "The Great Dictator". He was also sympathetic to socialist ideas, which raised suspicion during the Red Scare era in the United States. In 1952, Chaplin traveled to London for the premiere of his film Limelight. While he was abroad, U.S. authorities revoked his re-entry permit, essentially exiling him from the country. The FBI and J. Edgar Hoover had long held suspicions about Chaplin’s political leanings and feared his influence. Chaplin settled in Switzerland with his family, where he spent the rest of his life. Return to the U.S. In 1972, after twenty years of absence, Chaplin was invited back to the United States to accept an honorary Academy Award. This marked a reconciliation with Hollywood, and he received a long-standing ovation from the audience. Chaplin returned to Switzerland after the ceremony, where he died in 1977. Chaplin's life and exile reflected the intense intersection of art, fame, and politics, and his legacy remains a testament to his impact on both cinema and culture.

BJ 🙈🙉😲

"Stepin Fetchit"....made a million bucks for just playing dumb (Wasn't so Dumb, Now Was He!)

Stepin Fetchit, born Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry in 1902, was a pioneering American actor and comedian known for his roles in early Hollywood films. Fetchit was the first Black actor to earn a million dollars in film, making him one of the wealthiest Black actors of his time. He gained fame during the 1930s, primarily through his roles portraying the “lazy” and “befuddled” archetype in films like Steamboat Round the Bend (1935) and Judge Priest (1934). This persona, though popular with mainstream audiences, was highly controversial and has since been criticized as perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Despite his financial success, Fetchit’s wealth dwindled in later years due to mismanagement and challenges in Hollywood's changing landscape. By the end of his life, his finances had suffered significantly. He passed away in 1985, leaving a complex legacy both as a groundbreaking Black actor and as a figure associated with stereotypical representations in American cinema.

BJ 🙈🙉🙊