Jackie Coogan on THE KID

On our new release of THE KID, you can watch an archival interview with actor Jackie Coogan, in which he discusses his formative experiences working with Charlie Chaplin. In this clip from that piece here, he describes having to weep on cue for one of the film’s most memorable moments.

[peterwilson]

The film was a masterpiece and Coogan's performance was stunningly realistic. Chaplin later said that Coogan was one of the greatest actors that he ever worked with. Many, many years later, when Coogan was re-united with Chaplin at the 1972 Academy Awards, Chaplin reportedly told Coogan's wife "Never forget that your husband is a genius".

[claudiocorleone]

A once in a lifetime performance from the kid . Jackie coogan’s parents squandered all his money millions at the time and today the Jackie coogan was responsible for the child actors law which insures the well being of child actors. Years later Chaplin never forgot Jackie and paid his medical bills when he became ill. But who could resist not shedding a tear for Jackie’s performance. Iconic indeed!

[Jos]

the first time I saw this movie, I cried and laugh at the same time. A true masterpiece!

[mightymouse]

He is the reason that there are laws currently that protect a child actor's income from parents or guardians.

[CoreyChambersLA]

Jackie Coogan is a true Hollywood legend.

[yesthatbruce]

I just saw The Kid for the first time and was bowled over by that little guy's performance. That scene with him crying in the truck is just heart-rending. Major props to Charlie Chaplin for working with him so well. The lad was so cute and charming throughout the film. Such wide, adorable eyes. I thought he sorta looked like a girl some of the time, but that might've just enhanced his winsomeness. 🤩

[Ikgeloofhetniet]

I just watched “The Kid” on an 8mm projector and this interview gave me goose bumps because I thought to myself, “wow that little kid is convincing!”

[kerideggs]

When Jackie fell on hard times years down the road, Chaplin gave him some money, no hesitation whatsoever.

[Thezoiys]

I love this movie, for me and one of the best I've ever seen in my life. I always get emotional when I see, and from this movie I have a great affection for Charlie.

[walkingtrails]

Can you believe Uncle Fester married Betty Grable! and further more this man is also a WW2 kick butt pilot. what a cool interesting dude.

[perseusarkouda]

He died a little after I was born and we still remember him as a cute kid.

[denisemarie]

Harder to believe, he would be 106 years old today. RIP Jackie 🦋

[Nader]

I just watched "The Kid". Only after did I find out that the boy also played Uncle Fester in the Adams Family many years later...wow!

Jackie Coogan was an adorable boy ! Always remember Jackie on : The Lucy Show around 1964 he played a mean, demanding Drive-In restaurant boss to Lucille Ball . He was the first big child star ! His grandson was Keith Coogan, who had a role on The Walton's the last few years it ran on TV .

[dakotahmays]

Hard to believe that the Kid is Uncle Fester

[sailordude]

I showed this film to my kids when they were old enough to follow a film. I bet they remember it now decades later.

[enemyofbohemia]

Holy cow, it would be amazing if somehow the documentary this is from got released on blu-ray! "Hollywood: A Celebration of the American Silent Film" might be the greatest documentary ever made about the movies.

[theerqckstqrzhqusenhdzq]

Recognized his voice immediately from The Addams Family TV series. His voice has hardly changed here. You rarely come across that

[cristinapereirarobles]

Excelente actor, la actuación la llevó desde pequeño. No me canso de ver sus actuaciones en en cine mudó junto al gran Charles Chaplin, realmente un honor.

[darrenburnfan]

He was the world's first child superstar, adored by millions and a huge success in the many films he made in the 1920s. He was once described as the most beautiful child in the world. It's hard to believe that this man is the same person as that famous pre-teen star, seeing how he grew up to lose his hair and his famous looks and by the time he was appearing in The Addams Family, he had changed completely for the worst and was unrecognisable from his youthful self. He must have been aware of this and not liked it a bit, because one day, while he was in his dressing room between filming scenes for The Addams Family, his daughter caught him crying and sobbing bitterly. When she asked him whatever was the matter, he told her I used to be the most beautiful child in the world and now I'm an ugly monster! It must have been a terrible cross for him to bear.