In 1952, Charlie Chaplin traveled to Britain to promote the premiere of his film, Limelight. Through-out the tour, Chaplin learned that he had been refused a re-entry visa to the United States because of the political allegations at that time. Unable to return to the United States, Chaplin made his last two films in England.
September 12, 1957 – A King in New York was released. The final film Chaplin appeared in a leading role, King Shahdov – alongside his son Michael as Rupert Macabee. The film was produced in Europe – but due to its lack of U.S. distribution – it severely hindered commercial impact. Eventually, the film was released in the United States in March 1972.
January 5, 1967 – A Countess from Hong Kong was released. The final film Chaplin directed, written, and produced – and one of the two films Chaplin directed which he appeared in a cameo role. The film was made ten years after A King in New York, and it was the only color film made by Chaplin. The film was based on a draft written by Chaplin in 1930 called Stowaway – in which the production was never completed. The film was considered as a loss – and grossed US$2 million from a US$3.5 million budget.
During the final years of Chaplin, different recognitions and awards were given to him. In 1971, he was made a Commander of the National Order of the Legion of Honour at the Cannes Film Festival – and honored with a special award by the Venice Film Festival the following year.
In 1972, Chaplin visited the United States for the last time after twenty years – and was given an Honorary Academy Award. Queen Elizabeth II awarded Chaplin a knighthood in 1975 – two years before his death.
On December 25, 1977 – in the early morning, the eighty-eight-year-old Chaplin died at home after suffering a stroke while sleeping. Furthermore, Chaplin had a net worth of $400 million at the time of his death.