Charlie Chaplin spent his final years in exile at a Swiss estate after being barred from returning to the US. It later became a museum

Silent-film legend Charlie Chaplin was one of Hollywood's biggest stars. But the comic actor, filmmaker, composer and editor spent his final decades away from the United States after he was barred from re-entering the country.

Chaplin moved to Switzerland in 1953 and settled with his family at Manoir de Ban, a sprawling estate in Corsier-sur-Vevey near Lake Geneva. He lived there until his death in 1977.

The estate remained associated with Chaplin long after his death. In 2016, Manoir de Ban was transformed into Chaplin's World, a museum dedicated to his life, work and legacy, and opened to the public.


Chaplin was already in his 60s when he settled in Switzerland. Although he had stepped away from Hollywood, he remained creatively active. He continued working on films, composed musical scores for re-releases of his silent movies and wrote his autobiography.

Chaplin and his family were also known to visit the nearby lakeside town of Vevey. Despite enjoying a relatively private life in Switzerland, the Manoir de Ban estate hosted artists and other celebrities over the years.

Today, visitors can explore the estate and learn about Chaplin's extraordinary career, including his rise from a difficult childhood in London to becoming one of the most recognizable figures in cinema.

Why the US barred Chaplin from returning

In 1952, Chaplin's return to the United States became impossible after authorities revoked his re-entry permit while he was traveling to Britain. The decision came amid intense scrutiny over his political views and alleged communist sympathies. Rather than fight to regain entry, Chaplin chose to settle in Switzerland with his family.

All about Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin, whose full name was Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin, was an English comic actor, filmmaker, composer and editor who rose to international fame during the silent-film era.

He became one of the world's most recognizable entertainers through his screen character, the Tramp, and is regarded as one of the most influential figures in film history.

His career spanned more than 75 years, from his childhood in Victorian-era Britain until shortly before his death in 1977.

Chaplin's early life was marked by poverty and hardship. He was reportedly sent to a workhouse twice before the age of nine, while his mother was committed to a mental asylum when he was 14.

He began performing at a young age, touring music halls before working as a stage actor and comedian. At 19, he joined the Fred Karno company, which eventually took him to the United States.

In 1914, Chaplin rose to widespread fame through his appearances in films made by Keystone Studios. He soon introduced the Tramp, the character that would become his defining screen persona.

He went on to work with Essanay Studios, Mutual Film Corporation and First National. His films increasingly gave the Tramp more emotional depth, and his popularity grew rapidly.

By 1918, Chaplin had become one of the world's best-known and highest-paid entertainers.