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Young Arthur Jefferson was a fighter ever since birth. He would rise to become one of the best comics later in life.
His mother died when he was a teenager.
Arthur always had an active imagination and a knack for humor. He focused his time on writing little plays and such, during his childhood years.
AJ Jefferson knew that showbiz was in his sons blood. He had to do something to get him out on the road so he could live his dream. He found out through connections that the Fred Karno Troupe was looking for another player. He had suggested his son Arthur Jr or better known by his middle name Stanley.
Karno gazed at young Stanley. He had heard from AJ that the 20 year old had the spirit of the theater in him, having performed as a young teen to smaller audiences in local theaters.
Young Stanley was a towering 5'7 but also a very skinny thing. His bright blue eyes seemed to entrance everyone who looked at him. His auburn hair was always neatly kept. (Unlike the character Stan we all know and love). Another difference between the dimwitted simpleton we know and love on the screen versus his real life persona; the real Stan was actually very bright.
Ever since he was young, Stan had been writing sketches and gags. While on the road with Karno, he and Chaplin would rehearse different sketches.
Charles Spencer Chaplin was always different from most performers.
Stan summed it up best when he said of Chaplin, "He [Charlie Chaplin] had those eyes that absolutely forced you to look at them. He had the damnedest way of looking at an audience. He had the dam nedest way of looking at you, onstage…They're very dark, the deepest kind of blue, and intense, just like him. And they can dominate anyone they look at. That's a part of the secret of his great success: eyes that make you believe in him whatever he does."
They both wanted to make people laugh. That's what a comedian does.
They both succeeded in different ways.
The year was 1908, the place London, UK...
Charles Spencer Chaplin was looking for work. His poor mother was in a sanitarium and he knew he needed to provide for her.
His older brother Sydney got a job in the Fred Karno Troupe, a local team of performers, who would go on the road and perform comedy sketches.
The elder Chaplin had suggested to Fred Karno or "Gov'ner" as they referred to him; that Charlie should join their troupe.
Karno concided and brought the lad with them on tour. At first he gave Charlie bit parts, but soon saw he had potential.
Soon Charlie was one of their main stars.
Meanwhile in Glasgow, Scotland; tragedy struck a family known as the Jeffersons.
Madge Jefferson had died after a lengthy battle with an illness.
She left behind her husband Arthur better known as AJ Jefferson.
She also left behind four children; George, Beatrice, Edward, and Arthur.
Young Arthur, better known by his middle name Stanley; was devastated by his mothers death.
Little did he know that his path would cross with Karno and Chaplin and he would rise to become one of the biggest comedians in the UK and America.
He would become Stan Laurel of Laurel and Hardy.
End of Chapter 1