The following winter he made his first great hit when taking the part of Clown at the Olympic Theatre, which was then under the management of T. D. Davenport.
His wonderful activity and abundant flow of animal spirits quickly became recognisable, and he was then engaged for the Princess's Theatre, where he remained for several seasons.
On 28 July 1849 at St. Mary's parish church, Lambeth, he married Francisca Christophosa, daughter of Jean Baptiste Auriol, the famous French clown, and with her acted with great success in the chief cities of Europe.
After this he appeared at the Strand, the Adelphi, and Covent Garden theatres, and later at Drury Lane, where he performed in the pantomime ‘Jack-in-the-Box’ at Christmas 1859.
He was especially noted for his close and natural imitation of the leading dancers of the day, such as Perrot, Carlotta Grisi, Taglioni, Cerito, and others; but although chiefly known as a dancing clown, he could when required also take the part of clown à la Grimaldi in a very efficient manner, and was one of the most diverting pantomimists who ever delighted a holiday audience.