Albert Austin

Who was Albert Austin?

Albert Austin was an English actor, film star, director and script writer, noted mainly for his work in Charlie Chaplin films. He was the brother of actor William Austin.

He was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, and was a music hall performer before going to the U.S. with Chaplin, both as members of the Fred Karno troupe, in 1910.

Noted for his painted handlebar moustache and acerbic manner, he worked for Chaplin's stock company and played supporting roles in many of his films, often as a foil to the star, and working as his assistant director.

After the development of sound films, he moved into scriptwriting, directing and acting, chiefly in comedy short subjects. Among other things, he assisted Chaplin in developing the plot of The Adventurer. However, he only received screen credit as a collaborator once, for City Lights.

As an actor, he appeared in Chaplin's comedies for the Mutual Film Corporation. Later he had two brief, uncredited roles in one of Chaplin's 'silent' comedies made in the sound era, City Lights. Austin is also seen very briefly at the beginning of Chaplin's short film One A.M..