Who cares or gives a damn about him - am sure I don't

In 1910, two unknown British comedians, Charlie Chaplin and Arthur Stanley Jefferson (later known as Stan Laurel), set sail for America as members of the comedy troupe Fred Karno's London Comedians. During the voyage, Chaplin and Laurel shared a cabin and subsequently spent a few years touring the USA with the Karno group, with Laurel often serving as Chaplin's understudy. The men eventually parted ways —Chaplin created the Tramp character and by 1918 had become one of the world's highest-paid and most celebrated figures; Laurel started a partnership with the American comedian Oliver Hardy in 1927, forming one of the most popular comedy duos in film history, Laurel and Hardy.

Throughout the years, Laurel publicly spoke about Chaplin with much admiration, considering him the greatest comedian of all time. By contrast, there seems to be no record —at least none that I could find— of what Chaplin actually thought of Laurel. Chaplin's 1964 autobiography does not mention Laurel beyond a brief reference in an early photo, despite their personal shared history. (Incidentally, in his book Chaplin leaves out more people, e.g. Buster Keaton, who appeared with Chaplin in Limelight (1952), is not mentioned at all.)

Stan Laurel (left) and Charlie Chaplin in 1913

Stan Laurel (far left) and Charlie Chaplin (inside lifebelt) amidst the Karno troupe en route to America in 1910

While Laurel spoke admiringly of Chaplin in public, privately he struck a different tone. In this letter to his friend Ed Paterson, dated 14 October 1957, Laurel openly talked about Chaplin, describing him in a negative way, while seemingly embittered and hurt by Chaplin's failure to acknowledge his old friends. The letter was written at a time when Laurel was still coping with the death of his partner and friend Oliver Hardy,  just two months earlier; it was a loss from which he never fully recovered.

Incidentally, when Laurel himself died in 1965, Buster Keaton spoke at his funeral, honouring him with the words: "Chaplin wasn't the funniest. I wasn't the funniest; this man was the funniest." 

Here is Laurel's letter, the first part dealing with Chaplin.

Source: Bonhams

Transcript:

25406, Malibu Road,

MALIBU. CALIF. U.S.A.

Oct. 14th. '57.

My Dear Ed:- 

Thanks yours 10th. inst.

I have to agree with you re Chaplin being mean & cheap, he never to my knowledge ever had any consideration to anybody - financially or otherwise, he never had any time for any of his close friends who worked with him in the early days, regardless of whether they needed his help or not, so you can imagine his feelings & actions towards utter strangers, including his beloved Kensingtonites. [Chaplin grew up in the London district Kennington, not Kensington.]

I was closely associated with Charlie for 2 or 3 years, I was his understudy & shared rooms with him on many occasions, so am fully aware of his idosyncrasies [sic], he was a very eccentric character, composed of many moods, at times signs of insanity, which I think developed further when he gained Fame & Fortune. I frankly believe Ed, that this was heredtary [sic], I understand both of his parents died in the asylum - at least I know definitely his mother did, shortly after he brought her to this Country & placed her in a sanitarium. I really think he is to be pitied more than censored - to my mind, he is still the greatest artiste in his field, but unfortunately his ideals have run amuck & he has lost all sense of propriety.

I realise the great dislike you have for him Ed, but I do'nt [sic] think you should get yourself all worked up, & upset yourself over it, its not good for your health, besides, who cares or gives a dam [sic] about him - am sure I do'nt [sic], whatever he thinks, says or does, is water on [sic] a duck's back to me - with all his millions we are happier than he is I'll guarantee, & one thing for sure, he go [sic] out the same way he came in, with nothing & without friends too, there'll be no tears shed.

I did'nt [sic] hear anything about Mack Sennett being in hospital - thats news to me. Interesting to note you are collecting cut-outs from old films, I remember very well when Billy Reeves made some comedies for Lubin Co. they were made in Florida, I think several of the old Karno boys were in them too. Am not surprised to hear re Fred Karno Jr. being in trouble - he always has been! through all the years I've known him, he sure threw away some wonderful opportunities when his father was alive, if he had behaved himself he would have acquired all those shows, but he was too fond of the four-ale bar dept. Incidently, I met his Landlady wife in '54. she seemed a very pleasant person. Thanks for your kind remarks re my Sister, am pleased she is so well thought of. Am writing her today & will mention the names of your friends Syd & David.

Yes, I understand TV is doing a lot of damage to the theatre business, especially the Provinces, its certainly a shocking situation for all those Variety artistes who are thrown out of work - its really serious.

Well, all for now Ed. Mrs L. joins in kindest regards & every good wish for health & happiness. Take care of yourself.

Bye & God Bless.

Sincerely always:-

'Stan' (signed)

Stan Laurel.

Note: "I understand that both of his parents died in the asylum..." — Laurel seemed unsure of how Chaplin's father had died. Chaplin Sr. was an alcoholic and died from cirrhosis of the liver. Chaplin's mother Hannah suffered from psychosis and was indeed committed to a mental asylum; she died while under institutional care.