Josephine Chaplin, the sixth child of screen icon Charlie Chaplin, passed away on July 13 at the age of 74, according to an announcement made by her family. Josephine was a talented actress who appeared in several notable films throughout her career.
One of Josephine’s notable roles was in the 1972 film “Escape to the Sun,” directed by Menahem Golan. The film revolves around a group of people attempting to leave the Soviet Union to escape antisemitism and political repression. Josephine starred alongside Laurence Harvey in this powerful drama.
She also appeared in other films such as “L’odeur des fauves” (1972) with Vittorio De Sica and Maurice Ronet, “The Bay Boy” (1984) with Liv Ullmann and Kiefer Sutherland, and a German-language version of “Jack the Ripper” (1976) with Klaus Kinski.
In 1988, Josephine portrayed Hadley Richardson, the first wife of Ernest Hemingway, in a miniseries that starred Stacy Keach. This role showcased her versatility as an actress and her ability to bring complex characters to life.
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Born on March 28, 1949, in Santa Monica, Josephine was the third child of Charlie Chaplin and his fourth wife, Oona O’Neill. She had eight siblings, including Geraldine and Michael. Josephine made appearances in her father’s films, including “Limelight” (1952) and “A Countess From Hong Kong” (1967).
Josephine spent most of her life in Paris and predominantly acted in French films. Some of her notable French features include “Nuits rouges” (1974) and “À l’ombre d’un été” (1976). According to IMDb, her last credited role was in the 1994 film “Ciudad Baja,” which starred Mike Connors.
In 1978, Josephine and her family became victims of a bizarre extortion plot. Two men stole the body and coffin of her father, who had passed away in Switzerland on Christmas Day. The Chaplin family refused to pay a ransom, and the remains of Charlie Chaplin were recovered 11 weeks after the theft. Josephine’s mother, Oona, passed away in 1991.
Aside from her acting career, Josephine also managed the Chaplin office in Paris on behalf of her siblings for many years. She was instrumental in keeping her father’s legacy alive and even sponsored a statue of him in Waterville, Ireland, a place where the Chaplin family often vacationed.
Josephine’s personal life also had its share of ups and downs. She was married to Greek businessman Nikki Sistovaris from 1969 to 1977, and then she lived with French actor Maurice Ronet until his death in 1983. Her second husband was archaeologist Jean-Claude Gardin, and they were together from 1989 until his passing in 2013.
Josephine is survived by her siblings Geraldine, Michael, Victoria, Jane, Annette, Eugene, and Christopher, as well as her three sons, Charly, Julien, and Arthur. A funeral will be held in Paris, attended by close family members.
Josephine Chaplin’s death marks the passing of a talented actress and a member of the Chaplin family, which has had a significant impact on the world of entertainment. Her contributions to film and her efforts to preserve her father’s legacy will always be remembered.
