In a Fresh Air interview, Scott Eyman delves into his book, *Charlie Chaplin vs. America*, shedding light on the controversial aspects of Chaplin's life beyond his legendary films. The conversation reveals how Chaplin faced multiple investigations by U.S. agencies like the FBI and CIA, largely due to his anti-Hitler film *The Great Dictator* and unfounded accusations of communist affiliations. Eyman also discusses a paternity suit that wrongly implicated Chaplin and his eventual exile from the U.S. in 1952. He highlights the disinformation campaigns that targeted Chaplin, illustrating how these political and personal attacks tarnished his career and forced him into self-imposed exile in Switzerland, which impacted his later projects. Despite these challenges, Chaplin's legacy as a cinematic icon endures, culminating in a triumphant return to Hollywood to receive an honorary Oscar in 1972.
