Özgür Daniel Foster, the first person to portray Charlie Chaplin in a musical theater production, follows in the footsteps of a genius with his professional passion.
Charlie Chaplin, the master of silent cinema, remains one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century. Today, Istanbul’s art scene is abuzz with excitement over a groundbreaking musical theater production that brings Chaplin’s remarkable story to life. Chaplin: The Musical, now playing at Zorlu PSM, marks a world first by presenting the legendary filmmaker in a musical theater format—a monumental achievement for Turkish theater.
The production is a feast for the senses, with its dynamic set design, a talented cast embodying multiple characters, captivating narrators who command the audience’s attention, and a live orchestra that adds rhythm to the magic.
At the heart of it all is Özgür Daniel Foster, who takes on the formidable challenge of portraying Chaplin. Foster doesn’t just embody a character; he transports audiences to an era and a world shaped by Chaplin’s boundless imagination. How did he rise to this immense challenge, capturing the mannerisms and movements that transformed Chaplin into the unforgettable “Charlo”? Let’s dive into the inspiring journey of a performer who dared to bring a legend to life.
I WANT TO TELL THIS STORY
Taking on a role as iconic as Charlie Chaplin is a daring move for any actor—let alone for someone stepping onto the theater stage for the first time. So, how did you find the courage?
When I first heard about the role, I didn’t feel courageous at all. In fact, I was overwhelmed with fear—so much so that my stomach hurt. I asked my manager, Mert Siliv, for a few days to think it over. During that time, I immersed myself in Chaplin’s world. I read his autobiography and every biography I could find, watched the film Chaplin, and devoured the documentary The Real Chaplin. Even that brief glimpse into his life was enough to captivate me. I was inspired by his extraordinary journey and knew I wanted to tell his story. At the same time, I was frustrated with myself as an actor for knowing so little about one of cinema’s most significant figures. I was also saddened that such a compelling story hadn’t been brought to the stage before.
That’s when I made a very clear decision: ‘I want to tell this story.’ From that moment, I set aside all doubts, fears, and risks and fully committed to this incredible challenge.
Taking on the world’s first-ever musical theater production about Charlie Chaplin was bound to attract both excitement and skepticism. So, what did you trust most about the project?
Yes, as you mentioned, this is the first-ever play about Chaplin on a global scale—before us, it had only been staged as a musical on Broadway. That’s a huge source of pride for us. Honestly, I didn’t pay much attention to the doubters. I believed wholeheartedly in the story, and that’s what mattered most to me.
With its energetic music, captivating set design, and versatile cast taking on multiple roles, what do you think audiences enjoy most about the play?
This project involved a tremendous budget and an extraordinary amount of effort. We even had a producer so passionate that he built a rehearsal theater just for us. The preparation process was both challenging and rewarding, and the result is a production that’s equally entertaining, fast-paced, and deeply emotional. While I can’t speak for the audience entirely, one thing is clear: they leave the theater recognizing the immense effort behind every element of the production. After each show, we’re greeted by wonderful crowds eager to share their appreciation. Hearing their feedback firsthand is incredibly fulfilling. Every performance brings a fresh energy, and each audience reacts differently, which is exhilarating for me. From our live orchestra creating sound effects and music on stage to my fellow cast members embodying diverse characters, there’s so much to admire. Above all, I think audiences appreciate the way we tell Chaplin’s extraordinary life story—one filled with value and meaning—simply and without bias.
WE PRACTICED CHAPLIN’S MOVES FOR SIX MONTHS
Physically, you are quite different from Charlie Chaplin, yet his portrayal—particularly in the silent scenes—is mesmerizing. How did you prepare for such a demanding role?
Thank you. Perhaps the clearest testament to Chaplin’s genius is his incredible body control and unique movements. From the start, I knew I didn’t want to imitate him. Instead, I focused on creating an original interpretation, adding my own perspective to the character. That said, I’m quite a bit larger than Chaplin, and I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t intimidating at first. But with my sports background and confidence in my physical abilities, I believed I could overcome it with hard work—and I did. Preparation for the role was intense. As soon as the script was finalized and approved by the Chaplin office, we began a six-month movement training process. I worked with the brilliant Prof. Tuğçe Tuna, Director of Contemporary Dance at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, who designed the movement choreography for the play and served as my individual coach.
We were also fortunate to collaborate with Daniel Richard Kamin, recommended by the Chaplin family. Kamin, the consultant and choreographer for Robert Downey Jr. in the film Chaplin, worked with us both via Zoom and in person for two months. Together, we analyzed Chaplin’s physical techniques, actions, and motivations by watching his films after our daily training sessions. Beyond movement, I also focused on breathing and vocal training with Günay Acar to maintain the physical stamina required for live performances. And of course, the general rehearsals with the entire team were vital. This collective effort, combined with months of rigorous preparation, allowed us to bring Chaplin’s world to life in a way that feels authentic yet uniquely ours.
The play’s status as the first musical theater production about Charlie Chaplin is a landmark for Turkish theater. Could the production go global?
Thank you so much. It’s an incredible honor to bring such an iconic figure and his story to life and to be part of a groundbreaking project like this. As for going global—why not? It all comes down to demand and opportunity.
I TRIED TO UNDERSTAND CHAPLIN
Did you find any similarities with Charlie Chaplin, or were there things you disagreed with?
Absolutely. First of all, like Chaplin, I’m a self-proclaimed mama’s boy. I’m deeply attached to my mother and sister. While I didn’t face the same hardships as he did, I too started working at a young age and quickly learned the importance of hard work and perseverance in chasing my dreams. To faithfully portray Chaplin, I delved deeply into his actions, motivations, and the outcomes of his decisions. My goal was to understand and empathize with him on every level. As an actor, it was crucial for me to justify his choices, even in moments where I might have disagreed.
Of course, I had to approach him through the lens of his era. Life was immeasurably tougher and more complex back then, which added another layer of motivation for me to fully embrace and justify his actions. Comparing him to today’s standards would be unfair, so I focused instead on capturing his essence and honoring his journey.
Where does this play stand in your career, and what are your aspirations moving forward?
Chaplin will always hold a special place in my career—it’s the most important and meaningful work I’ve done so far. It was a turning point for me, both professionally and spiritually. Since the day I first dreamed of becoming an actor, my goals haven’t wavered: to be part of global cinema and share that journey with my family and the people I care about. That vision remains unchanged.
What kind of person have you become after portraying Chaplin?
I’m not sure if I’ve transformed. But I’m certain that I’ve grown—both as a person and as an actor. This experience has taught me so much and has been deeply enriching.
“I believe portraying Chaplin has helped me grow both personally and as an actor.”
We first came to know you through your sailing achievements at a young age. However, a health issue brought your sailing career to a pause. How do you think your life would have unfolded if you had continued as a national sailor?
It wouldn’t be accurate to say that it ended completely. Shortly after my injury, I underwent surgery and began my recovery and treatment process. However, the injury prompted me to reflect on my dreams and goals, and I’m grateful for that. At the time, I was a university freshman and had already started studying performing arts at an acting academy. Following the injury, I chose to keep sailing and surfing as hobbies while dedicating all my focus to acting.
We’ve seen you in many youth series so far, and I especially enjoyed the festival film Not Knowing. What draws you to a project and convinces you to take on a role?
Thank you so much. Not Knowing (Bilmemek) was a wonderful project that I was honored to be a part of. These days, what excites me most about a project is the story and the character. I can’t say the same about my mindset at the start of my career, though. I have to confess—when I was just starting out, my main, perhaps only, goal was to get on set as quickly as possible and gain experience. But as I grew and gained experience, my perspective shifted. I decided to change strategies, switched managers, and started working with the amazing Mert Siliv. I fully entrusted myself to him, and together we adopted a more selective approach, prioritizing quality and meaningful stories. In fact, it was Mert Siliv who brought Chaplin to life as the producer. I’d like to thank him here, not just as my manager but also as the producer of our play. Over the past two years, I’ve learned to approach my craft more professionally and patiently under his guidance. Looking back, I can see I was quite amateurish at times. Now, what convinces me to take on a project is the story, the script, the overall quality, and the depth of the character.
Let’s fast-forward 20 years. If we search for Özgür Daniel Foster on IMDb, what would you like your profile to say?
First of all, I’d want it to say something like, “47/Healthy/Fit.” Then, I’d hope it would list titles like “Actor/Producer/Entrepreneur.” I’d love for my filmography to be extensive, showcasing a long list of works. Since I also aspire to write, I’d be thrilled to see “Writer” as one of my titles as well.
Beauty is often seen as an advantage in this profession, but has it ever been a disadvantage for you in acting?
I wouldn’t call it a disadvantage, but I do think that being different from the typical casting types in the industry and audience expectations may have caused me to miss out on a few roles.
We knew you wanted to be an actor from a young age. What did you dream of back then? Did you have a role model?
I think I was around 7 or 8 years old when I first started watching Disney Channel, and I remember being fascinated by seeing kids and young people my age in different stories. I felt a bit envious and dreamed of becoming an actor. At that time, I imagined watching a movie I was proud to be part of in a big theater with my family and loved ones. While I may not have seen him as a direct role model, when I was about 10 or 11, I watched What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and Basketball Diaries around the same time. I was deeply impressed by young Leonardo DiCaprio in those films, especially his portrayal of an autistic character. I followed his career closely for a long time. I also admired Matt Damon, especially after watching Good Will Hunting, which made a profound impact on me. I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t seen it—it’s a life-changing movie with an amazing performance by the late Robin Williams.
On the acting side, are there any movies you find yourself watching repeatedly?
I keep coming back to The Dark Knight from the Batman trilogy. Sadly, it’s the last movie with Heath Ledger, but in my opinion, he gave the best portrayal of the Joker in history. Even though he’s only in the movie for about 27 minutes, he completely dominates the screen. Other films I revisit include The Pianist, Awakenings, Dallas Buyers Club, the first season of True Detective, Gladiator, The Green Mile, Capernaum, Hamlet with Ethan Hawke, and Butterfly’s Dream. Of course, Good Will Hunting and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape are also among my favorites.
Photo Credit: Elif Demiralp
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