Josephine Chaplin, the Escape to the Sun actress and daughter of legendary actor Charlie Chaplin, is dead at 74.
Her sons Charly, Julien and Arthur announced the news in a French newspaper, saying she died July 13 in Paris. The family added that a private funeral will be held in Paris.
A cause of death was not immediately released. As a child, Josephine appeared in some of her famous father’s films, including small parts in 1952’s Limelight and 1967’s A Countess from Hong Kong. Her later credits included the lead in 1972’s Escape to the Sun and the 1975 miniseries The Man Without a Face.
Charlie, a legendary actor from Hollywood’s silent-film era, had 11 children. Josephine was one of eight he had with wife Oona O’Neill, whom he married in 1943.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Josephine lived in Paris for many years, starring in several French films and overseeing the Chaplin office for her family.
The outlet reported that she is also survived by siblings Geraldine, Michael, Victoria, Jane, Annette, Eugene and Christopher.
The outlet also reported that she was married to Nikki Sistovaris from 1969 until 1977, and later wed archeologist Jean-Claude Gardin, who died in 2013.
Charlie died in December 1977 at age 88. Variety reported at the time that Oona and seven of their kids were at his bedside when he died, and daughter Geraldine had been filming a movie in Madrid but rushed home when found out.
According to Smithsonian Magazine, grave robbers once stole Charlie’s body and held it for ransom in March 1978, seeking $600,000.
Two men, Roman Wardas and Gantscho Ganev, were eventually caught and convicted. They reportedly later wrote letters to Oona apologizing.
her dad was a proud communist. wonder IF she went to hell?