Frédérick Lemaître

He spent two years at the Conservatoire de Paris, and made his first appearance at a variety performance in one of the basement restaurants at the Palais Royal.

At the Théâtre de l'Ambigu-Comique on 12 July 1823 he played the part of Robert Macaire in L'Auberge des Adrets.

His success in the last led to an engagement at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin, where in 1827 he produced Ducange's Trente ans, ou la vie d'un joueur, in which his vivid acting made a profound impression.

[citation needed] He put the final touch to his reputation as an artist by creating the part of Ruy Blas in Victor Hugo's play (1838).

[2] On his return to the Porte St. Martin he created the title-role in Balzac's Vautrin, which was forbidden a second presentation, on account, it is said, of the resemblance of the actor's wig to the well-known toupé worn by Louis Philippe.