Lita Grey: The Untold Story of Charlie Chaplin’s Controversial Marriage

Lita Grey, a mesmerizing beauty with captivating eyes, who started her acting career alongside Charlie Chaplin at the tender age of 12, passed away on Friday at the age of 87 after a battle with cancer.

She was the last surviving wife of the legendary filmmaker often referred to as “the only true genius motion pictures ever produced” by George Bernard Shaw.

Lita Grey's life took an extraordinary turn when she became pregnant by Chaplin at the age of 15 and married him at 16.

However, their union was short-lived, and they divorced just two years later.

Despite the challenges she faced, Lita continued to live in a modest apartment in West Hollywood, supported by the Motion Picture Fund, surrounded by reminders of her tumultuous marriage and playbills from her post-divorce stage career.

The house that was once Lita Grey's residence has now been transformed into the popular Campanile restaurant, and she was actively involved in planning its restoration.

Unfortunately, her divorce marked a decline in her acting career, as audiences lost interest in her.

Later in life, she had to work as a sales clerk at a department store in Beverly Hills to support herself and her children.

Born into the Carrillo family, pioneers of California, Lita grew up in a sheltered environment.

It was a chance visit to a local restaurant that changed the course of her life.

At just six years old, she met Chaplin there, and at the age of 12, they were reintroduced by a mutual acquaintance.

Chaplin cast her in his film “The Kid” (1921), where she played an angel suspended from wires in a scene set in celluloid heaven.

Despite their significant age difference, Chaplin openly pursued a romantic relationship with Lita and even stated that he would marry her if she became pregnant.

During the filming of “The Gold Rush” (1925), Lita's pregnancy became apparent, and she was replaced by Georgia Hale.

Contrary to his earlier promises, Chaplin suggested an abortion or offered her money instead of fulfilling his commitment to marriage.

In her memoir, “My Life With Chaplin,” Lita, then known as Lillita Louise MacMurray, recounted how a family member confronted Chaplin with a shotgun and demanded he marry her.

The wedding soon followed, and they welcomed their first son, Charles Chaplin Jr., in 1925.

Their second son, Sydney, arrived the following year.

Lita gave birth to both boys at home on Summit Drive in Beverly Hills while Chaplin was absent.

Their divorce proceedings lasted nine months and were filled with tales of Chaplin's infidelity, neglect towards his children, and his hostility towards Lita, whom he dismissed as “lowly born and greedy.”

Interestingly, Lita was the only wife of Chaplin not mentioned in his autobiography.

She received a settlement of $825,000, a record-breaking amount at that time, and used her newfound notoriety to pursue a career in nightclubs and vaudeville.

However, extravagant expenses and the ill-advised purchase of an expensive Beverly Hills home quickly depleted her funds.

Lita remarried three more times throughout her life.

Over the years, she seemed to soften towards Chaplin, understanding his insecurities stemming from his impoverished background.

Prior to her passing, she was working on another book of memoirs, which was expected to paint a kinder picture of her ex-husband.

Lita Grey is survived by her son Sydney Chaplin, as well as two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

No formal services will be held, but contributions in her memory can be made to the Motion Picture and Television Fund.