Benoît-Constant Coquelin(1841-1909)

One of the greatest theatrical performers of the time Benoit Constant Coquelin born in Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais, France in 1841. Made his professional stage debut at 19 as the comic valet in Moliere's 'Le Depit amoureux' at the Comedie-Francaise in 1860, his first great success was as Figaro in 'The Barber of Saville'. Four years after joining the comedie-Francaise, Coquelin became one of the elite societaires and during the next 22 years he starred in 44 new plays, including 'Gringoire' (1867), 'Tabarin' (1871), 'Forestier' (1871), 'L'Etrangere' (1876), Jean Dacier' (1877) 'Les Rantzau' (1884), he toured Europe and America with 'Les Precieuses ridicules', wrote several books including 'Art and the Actor'. In 1895 he joined the Renaissance Theatre in Paris where he had successes in Edmond Rostand's play 'Cyrano de Bergerac' in 1897 and in 1898 at the Lyceum Theatre in London. In 1900 he toured America with the lengendary theatre star Sarah Bernhardt appearing at the Broadway's Garden Theatre in a production of 'Cyrano de Bergerac' his most famous role, he starred in his only film which was the duel scene from 'Cyrano de Bergerac' with sound recording on phonograph cylinder directed by Clement Maurice at the Phono-Cinema- Theatre studio in 1900, the film is thought to be the first ever made with both colour and sound. On their return to France he appeared in 'L'Aiglon' at the Theatre Sarah Bernhardt. He was rehearsing for the starring role in Rostand's 'Chantecler' when he died suddenly in Paris age 68 in 1909.