Born Jules-Victor-Alexandre Dumont,[1] his father was a wood merchant and destined his son for business; a position was secured for him as assistant glove-maker in a shop in the Chaussée d'Antin.

An interest in the theatre awoke in him around 1847 and he made his debut at the Théâtre de Belleville, before appearing at the Délassements-Comiques and at the Folies-Dramatiques.

In August 1852 he created the role of Machavoine in Le Misanthrope et l'Auvergnat by Labiche at the Palais-Royal securing a major success.

Having appeared in Le Brésilien (alongside Hortense Schneider) in 1863, for which Offenbach wrote (anonymously) a 'Ronde du Brésilien' which became hugely popular, he also appeared alongside Offenbach's Bouffes-Parisiens troupe in Bad Ems, singing songs and comic scenes.

[2] Brasseur remained at the Palais-Royal until 1877, creating many roles, including the Brésilien/Frick/Prosper in La Vie parisienne by Offenbach in 1866.