The Tramp Charlie Chaplin The tramp was a famous character created and played by Charlie Chaplin in various short films in the early 20th century. He became endeared to many people, young and old alike due to his looks and antics that landed him into trouble all the time. The iconic character is believed to the inspiration for modern day clowns both for both his dressing and antics. The tramp was a short man, always identified by his physical attributes that included a unique way of dressing and moustache. He was always dressed in a vest, a very tight fitting cut-away coat with its seams coming undone worn over a baggy pair of trousers for contrast. He wore a small bowler hat and kept a small moustache to depict his age. His worn-out shoes were always too big for his feet and pointed upwards at the front. He also carried a bamboo cane which he never dropped regardless of the situation he was in. Due to the poor fitting clothes, he had developed a distinct walking style that showed the discomfort he was in and his toes always pointed outwards when he walked.