The Tramp
The Tramp is an impoverished man who happens upon a child in the streets while on a morning walk, only to become his unlikely adoptive father. He is a bumbling but lovable ne'er-do-well, the archetypal "tramp," and it is this character that Charlie Chaplin played in almost all of his films and for which he is most well known. While The Tramp is comically resistant to caring for The Kid when he first stumbles upon him, he soon grows attached to him, and becomes a father figure for the boy. While he cannot provide The Kid with material comfort and only teaches him how to be a petty criminal, the bond they share is heartwarming and one cannot help but be charmed by their improbable bond.
The Kid (John)
The Kid is a child abandoned by his mother at the start of the film. As he grows up in the care of The Tramp, The Kid becomes an accomplished thief and a protégé of The Tramp. He is lovably portrayed by a young Jackie Coogan, who combines a knowing glint in his eye with expert physical comedy.
The Woman
The Woman is a poor woman who has had a child out of wedlock and can see no other option than abandoning him in the hopes that he will find himself in a better home. She is remorseful about the decision she is forced to make in desperation. By the end of the film, she has become a successful actress who wants to make amends with the child she abandoned.
The Man
The Man is a painter who has a child with The Woman. He shows no interest in helping her raise the boy. He is selfish and concerned only with his art practice, which is what leads The Woman to abandon their child in the first place. When he sees The Woman at a party five years later, The Man apologizes for his past behavior and asks how he may atone.
The Policeman
The Policeman is a perpetually aggrieved police officer who is always on The Tramp's case. He is constantly getting bamboozled by The Tramp, and becomes a comic foil. Despite their antagonistic relationship, at the end of the film the police officer brings The Tramp to The Woman's house so he may reunite with John.
Flophouse Proprietor
The flophouse proprietor is a man who rents cheap beds to travelers and people without regular shelter. The Tramp and John stay in the man's flophouse when on the run from the child welfare authority. When the man sees a reward for John's return, he takes the sleeping boy out of bed and brings him to the police station.
The Policeman's Wife
The policeman's wife is a woman who lives with the policeman who dislikes The Tramp. While repairing her window, The Tramp flirts with the policeman's wife, unwittingly putting himself into a compromising position when the policeman catches them together.
Flirty Angel
"Flirty Angel" is a girl dressed as an angel in The Tramp's dream. In the Dreamland sequence, she flirts with The Tramp, seemingly cheating on her boyfriend, who is the same man The Tramp brawled with in real life.
Older Brother
The older brother is a man who steps in to defend his little brother when he loses a fight to John. Seeing that The Tramp is John's parent, the bully's brother proceeds to throw punches at The Tramp, who dodges them until he can hit the man with a brick.
Bully
The bully is a slightly older boy who steals John's toy dog and instigates a fist fight. Although he is taller and older, the bully is repeatedly knocked down by John, who shows off his wily boxing skills.
