The Charlie Chaplin of international repute died in 1977 at 88 years old having dominated the film industry for the better part of his life.

But there is another Charlie Chaplin, who has made his mark. Not the same kind of mark, mind you, but one for which the Jamaican Government found it important enough to honour him with The Order of Distinction (Officer rank).

Yesterday, Chaplin, who was born Richard Bennett, was among several persons in the arts and entertainment field to receive honours at the National Honours and Awards Ceremony at King's House.

Other persons to join Chaplin during yesterday's National Honour and Awards ceremony are: Dr The Hon Olive Lewin (OM), Hugh Beresford Hammond (OJ), Professor Lorna Goodison (CD), Professor Carolyn Joy Cooper (CD), Filberto Osario Callender (OD), Volier Johnson (OD), Orrett Dexter Anthony Rhoden (CD), and Mercedes Kirkwood (CD).

Chaplin's career began 33 years ago, by working with U-Roy's Stur-Gav Hi-Fi Collective.

Some 179 Jamaicans were fittingly recognised for their outstanding contributions to nation building through service in various fields, at the awards ceremony, which was presided over by Governor General, the Most Hon Sir Patrick Allen.

Interestingly, his popularity climbed in Jamaica because he avoided the classic dancehall route of glorifying the more debaucherous elements of the environment.

His cultural bend made him an enigma, and by the time he released his first album, Presenting Charlie Chaplin, in 1982, he was already a household name.

So unique, yet popular, were his culturally rich lyrics that in 1984, he produced an album in collaboration with Yellowman, who was dancehall's king.

The album was aptly titled Slackness vs Pure Culture.

By 1985, when he released Que Dem, Chaplin had shown himself to be a prolific writer and singer, with six albums between it and his first.

From 1982 until 2001, Charlie Chaplin created a mammoth 20 albums and had eight other compilations to boot.