Avatar's Oona Chaplin Thought About Changing Her Name Before Embracing Her Chaplin Heritage

Oona Chaplin, the granddaughter of silent film icon Charlie Chaplin and the female lead of 'Avatar: Fire and Ash,' recently talked about the emotional journey behind her well-known last name. The 39-year-old actress claimed that even though her surname opened doors in the entertainment industry, the weight of that legacy occasionally made her feel "undeserving" and caused her to consider breaking away from her family name early in her career before ultimately choosing to embrace her heritage and hard-won success. 

Iconic Legacy and Early Career Doubts

Born in Madrid to English-American actress Geraldine Chaplin and director Patricio Castilla, Oona Chaplin bears one of the most recognizable last names in cinematic history. Her grandfather, Charlie Chaplin, was a pioneer of silent filmmaking who had a long-lasting impact on Hollywood and international cinema. 

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Even though Chaplin wasn't alive when Oona was born, his influence was evident as she carried on her family's artistic history and gained fame for her own work in television and movies, including parts in 'Game of Thrones' and 'Black Mirror' before joining the cast of 'Avatar: Fire and Ash.'

In a recent interview with The Times, Oona disclosed that despite her achievements, she used to struggle with how much her last name affected her possibilities. She considered changing her name after graduating from the esteemed Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London in order to dispel the notion that her advancement was due only to her Chaplin ancestry. 

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"It's been a journey to feel deserving, because I know that doors have opened for me that potentially wouldn't have opened if I wasn't associated with this brilliant man," she said, describing complicated feelings around success and identity early in her career.

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From Guilt to Gratitude: Embracing Her Name and Craft

Oona ultimately chose to maintain her name rather than change it, citing a change in attitude from guilt to thankfulness. Although nothing she creates could ever equal her grandfather's groundbreaking influence on film, she admitted that her work contributes to storytelling in a different way. "Whatever I do is never going to compare to what my grandfather did," she shared, but added that if her presence in the industry leads others to rediscover Charlie Chaplin's films, she would consider that meaningful. 

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After a time of self-doubt, Chaplin's passion for acting has been rekindled by her part as Varang, the ferocious leader of the Ash People in 'Avatar: Fire and Ash.' She lived off the grid in Cuba for a while before getting the role, almost completely abandoning mainstream acting. Taking on the nuanced antagonist in a worldwide hit film made her appreciate the honor of her profession and served as a reminder of why she enjoys telling stories. 

She has also drawn comparisons between James Cameron, the filmmaker of 'Avatar,' and her grandfather's innovative work, pointing out that both creators employed cutting-edge technology to investigate human emotion and connection. This reflection helped her see the legacy behind her name not as a burden but as an inspiration to approach her roles with depth and integrity. 

Image Courtesy: The Hollywood Reporter

Balancing Heritage and Future Ambitions

Oona Chaplin proudly wears her last name today, understanding the challenges of working in a field where talent and legacy frequently collide. Even though she used to struggle with feeling undeserving of her position, her changing perspective shows the tenacity of an artist determined to forge her own route—honouring her history while creating a career that stands on its own two feet. 

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