Johnny Chaplin Actor ~ Writer ~ Director ~ Charlie Chaplin Tribute Artist
A Charlie Chaplin impersonator and actor who creates Chaplin style movies reminiscent of the great silent film era.
About Johnny Valentine
Johnny Valentine was born and raised into a large Italian-American family of entertainers, musicians, artists, writers and actors from San Francisco, California. Johnny was the youngest of twelve brothers and sisters and was immersed in their artistic talents at an early age. When Johnny was young, the family put on plays for the neighborhood and lip synced to albums such as "Jesus Christ, Superstar," Nicola Paone's "The Telephone Song," "Yakkity-Yak Blah Blah," and Lou Monte's Italian novelty songs.
As a child, Mr. Valentine was also exposed and influenced by comedy greats such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Laurel and Hardy, The Marx Brothers, Abbott and Costello and The Three Stooges.
Johnny’s oft sense of strange humor always made his family and friends laugh, and they convinced him that he should make other people laugh, too.
In the early 1990’s, Mr Valentine took improv classes in San Francisco under the tutelage of Jessica Myerson, whose credits include “Billy Jack” and ”Mrs. Doubtfire.” In 2011, he decided to imitate Charlie Chaplin and produced several short silent movies, "A Day in the Park," (2015) and "A Brick a Day Keeps the Boss at Bay" (2012), both tributes to Chaplin.
Johnny Valentine also acts, writes, produces and directs other short films in the style of the 1920’s silent movie genre, and currently has taken the stage name of “Johnny Chaplin.” Mr. Valentine’s most current work, a short silent film titled “The Pawnshop” earned him several film festival awards, including Best Short Silent Film and Best Director.
Mr Valentine loves to make others laugh and is always happy when he sees the reactions from his audience, whether they be young or old. Valentine has stated, "If I can just make one person's day better by making them laugh, I've accomplished something monumental!" And true to form, he has been doing just that!
Johnny Valentine is the founder and current business owner of Poor Souls Films © which has been in operation since 2020.
