Geraldine Leigh Chaplin was born in Santa Monica, California, to Oona Chaplin (née O'Neill) and legendary entertainer Charles Chaplin (A.K.A.
Charlie Chaplin). She is a granddaughter of playwright Eugene O'Neill and a great-granddaughter of stage actor James O'Neill. She
attended the Royal Ballet Academy in London. She was discovered by
David Lean when she was dancing in
Paris, which led to her role in
Doktor Schiwago (1965). She has two
children, Shane and Oona Chaplin.
