I hope you will be a great and successful actress some day

Mid-1916, in response to a piece of fan mail from an aspiring young actress from London, England, Charlie Chaplin somehow found the time to write her the following letter of thanks. At this point in his career, although still aged just 27, Chaplin was already directing and producing the majority of his many films; the letterhead seen below also serving to remind that, in addition, Chaplin even managed to compose their soundtracks. Less than three years later, in 1919, he co-founded United Artists.

Transcript follows. Image courtesy of B. Pinnock.

Image: B. Pinnock

Transcript

CHARLIE CHAPLIN MUSIC PUBLISHING CO.
BLANCHARD HALL
233 SOUTH BROADWAY
OPPOSITE CITY HALL
LOS ANGELES, U.S.A.

May I2th, I9I6.

Gwynneth Nesta McCleary,
I4 Ardwich Rd.,
London, England.

My dear little Friend:-

Your very interesting Letter and very clever Newspaper Story received with many thanks, and was very pleased to have you think of and write to me. That was great news you told me that you are going to be an Actress and I hope you will be a great and successful one some Day.

I am very happy to have all my little Screen friends think of and write to me and I wish to thank you very much and your Mamma and Daddy also for their keen interest and generous support to my Screen work,

With best wishes,
I remain,
Very sincerely Yours,

(Signed, 'Chas Chaplin')