Born 15 April 1908 in Hollywood, California, USA, as Lillita Louise MacMurray.
Died 29 December 1995 in Los Angeles, California, USA, of cancer.
Married actor and director Charles Chaplin, 26 November 1924; divorced, 25 August 1928;
son, Charles Chaplin Jr., born 5 May 1925; son, actor Sydney Chaplin, born 30 March 1926.
Married Henry Aguirre Jr., 21 September 1936; divorced, 1 July 1938.
Married Arthur Franceway Day Jr., 8 July 1938; divorced, 3 June 1950; one child.
Married Patsy Pizzolongo (Pat Long), 22 September 1956; divorced, June 1966.
Lita Grey was initially discovered by Charles Chaplin and an assistant director and was placed on contract with Chaplin’s studio to appear in The Kid (1921) at twelve years old. The during the film’s production, Lita and her mother appeared in bit roles in The Idle Class (1921). In 1924, Grey was invited to test for the female lead in The Gold Rush (1925) and soon after became pregnant and married Chaplin.
After her divorce from Chaplin, Lita worked on the Radio-Keith-Orpheum vaudeville circuit, and eventually travelled to Europe to appear in clubs there. In 1950, Lita began work as a Hollywood talent agent.
Lita Grey discusses her early family history, meeting Charles Chaplin and the beginning of her film career in The Kid (1921), Chaplin’s directing method, her friend Merna Kennedy, and the early production on The Gold Rush (1925).
Interviewed by Jeffrey Vance in 1993.
Lita Grey discusses her life with Charles Chaplin and her insights into his character,
Merna Kennedy’s casting in The Circus (1928), and Lita’s career after her divorce.
Interviewed by Jeffrey Vance in 1993.
