Jean Mounet-Sully

[1] His striking presence and voice and the passionate vigor of his acting made an immediate impression, which resulted in his election as sociétaire in 1874.

He became one of the mainstays of the Comédie Française, and distinguished himself in a great variety of tragic and romantic parts.

[1] Perhaps his most famous role was that of Oedipus in L'Oedipe roi, a French version by Jules Lacroix of Sophocles's drama.

Fashion designer Paul Poiret commented in his autobiography King of Fashion, "I shall always see Mounet-Sully in Oedipus Rex, blind, coming down the steps of the temple, and saying in a suave voice: 'Children of ancient Cadmus, young successors.

He was a good friend, co-performer, and one-time lover of famed actress Sarah Bernhardt.