In 1833 he was engaged by Alfred Bunn for Drury Lane Theatre, when he made his first great hit in the part of Tom Drops in Douglas Jerrold's comedy 'The Schoolfellows.'
He showed his peculiar talents in 'Capers and Coronets,’ and after this he wrote, and performed the title rôle in, 'Monsieur Jacques,’ a musical piece, which in 1837 created a furore at the St. James's Theatre.
After a period devoted chiefly to literary pursuits, he reappeared on the stage of the Princess's Theatre, where his 'Old Guard,’ in the piece of that name, attracted general attention.
In September 1854 he resolved to go to America, and before his departure gave a series of farewell performances at the Adelphi Theatre.
As a dramatist he acquired celebrity by the comedy of The Serious Family, which he adapted from Le Mari à la Campagne.