Claim: Charlie Chaplin starred in a silent film in 1928.

The Circus is a 1928 silent film written and directed by Charlie Chaplin . The film stars Chaplin , Al Ernest Garcia , Merna Kennedy , Harry Crocker , George Davis and Henry Bergman . The ringmaster of an impoverished circus hires Chaplin 's Little Tramp as a clown , but discovers that he can only be funny unintentionally , not on purpose .   The production of the film was the most difficult experience in Chaplin 's career . Numerous problems and delays occurred , including a studio fire , the death of Chaplin 's mother , as well as Chaplin 's bitter divorce from his second wife Lita Grey , and the Internal Revenue Service 's claims of Chaplin 's owed back taxes , all of which culminated in filming being stalled for eight months . The Circus was the seventh highest grossing silent film in cinema history taking in more than $ 3.8 million in 1928 . The film continues to receive high praise .