Charlotte Mineau, a statuesque and striking brunette, was a talented Parisian actress who trained at the prestigious Sorbonne. Born to a police officer who tragically passed away when she was just two months old, Charlotte's early life was marked by a sense of wanderlust and a desire for independence.
As a young woman, she moved around frequently, taking on various jobs to make ends meet, including stenography, department store work, and telephone operating. However, it was in the world of show business that Charlotte truly found her calling.
By the time Charles Chaplin arrived in the United States, Charlotte was already an experienced performer, having worked with Essanay. Her first screen appearance was in the 1913 film "The Usual Way," alongside Wallace Beery. She would go on to appear in several of Chaplin's films, including an uncredited role in his debut "His New Job" in 1915.
Charlotte's subsequent career took her to Mutual, where she worked with Chaplin once again, before moving on to Mack Sennett and Hal Roach. During her time with Roach, she had the opportunity to work alongside the legendary comedy duo Laurel and Hardy, appearing in films such as "Sugar Daddies" in 1927.
Despite her striking physical appearance, Charlotte was more than just a pretty face. She brought poise and glamour to many a slapstick farce, and her salary at the height of her popularity was a respectable $350 a week. However, Charlotte's unusual height often made it difficult for producers to cast her in roles, leading her to adopt a more severe or careworn look on occasion to avoid being rejected as "too attractive."
As the advent of sound began to change the face of the film industry, Charlotte's career began to wind down. Her final film appearance was as a party guest named Emily in the 1931 Marx Brothers feature "Monkey Business."
