From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia Al Ernest Garcia 11 March 1887 4 September 1938 was an American actor best known for his long association with Charlie Chaplin He acted with Chaplin in six films between 1921 and 1936 cast mostly in clinical or villainous supporting roles Garcia portrayed the brutal circus director in The Circus 1928 the snobbish butler of the millionaire in City Lights 1931 and the factory owner in Modern Times 1936 He was also a casting director for Chaplin on The Circus City Lights and Modern Times Garcia was cofounder of the Motion Picture Extras and Supporting Players Association founded in 1933