In pics: Moroccan mimics Charlie Chaplin to mask hardships

Belhussein Abdelsalam, popularly known as Charlo, started performing on the streets of Morocco's capital when he lost his job three decades ago. "The former sports photographer sees parallels between himself and the screen legend, whose humor and painted face hid a deep well of painful childhood memories. In the same way, imitating Chaplin gave Abdelsalam a comedic mask to hide his own sadness and hardships," reports AP.(Photo: AP)

Charlo’s bittersweet days are spent on the capital’s main artery, Avenue Mohammed V. He carries balloons, masks, oversized shoes, trumpets, pigeon feed and a smile. (Photo and text: AP)

When 58-year-old Abdelsalam was arrested and lost his job three decades ago, he saw Charlie Chaplin on television and in that moment decided upon a new career: impersonating the British actor and silent movie maker remembered for his Little Tramp character. (Photo and text: AP)

Abdelsalam performs on a main avenue in Rabat, Morocco. (Photo and text: AP)

He puts on his costume as he prepares to get ready for work. (Photo and text: AP)

“It was when I lost everything that I became Charlie Chaplin, (who) made the world laugh and cry without saying a word,” he said. “He is a unique person who fought against discrimination and united (everyone)" he told AP. (Photo and text: AP)

He performs some poses for walking pedestrians on a main avenue in Rabbat. (Photo and text: AP)

He always keeps with him photographs from his previous career and images of himself as a young suited man involved in politics. An image of a young Belhussein Abdelsalam. (Photo and text: AP)

Abdelsalam puts on a clown outfit in a flower shop before performing in Rabat, Morocco. (Photo and text: AP)

He reacts while performing for some children, in an avenue in Rabat, Morocco. (Photo and text: AP)

One minute, he might be reapplying his stage makeup using a broken mirror in a flower shop. (Photo and text: AP)

The 58-year-old might be next delighting the children with magic tricks and impressions, or sending the pigeons into feeding frenzies by scattering bags of seed.(Photo and text: AP)

The former sports photographer sees parallels between himself and the screen legend, whose humor and painted face hid a deep well of painful childhood memories. (Photo and text: AP)

The Charlie Chaplin impersonator applies makeup as he prepares to start a new day of work. (Photo and text: AP)

Abdelsalam displays images of his younger self as a sports photographer in the 1980s. (Photo and text: AP)

He puts on an outfit in a flower shop before performing. (Photo and text: AP)

He performs as people walk past in an avenue. (Photo and text: AP)

He greets his mother outside his home after a day of working. (Photo and text: AP)

Here, he poses for the photographer. (Photo and text: AP)

The 58-year-old reacts, while speaking of his past life, in his home in Sale, near Rabat. (Photo and text: AP)