(1841–1909). French actor Benoît-Constant Coquelin was arguably one of the greatest of modern French actors. He brought an unusual range and versatility to his craft and was perhaps best known for his portrayal of Cyrano de Bergerac. Coquelin also received critical acclaim for outstanding performances in French playwright Molière’s comic roles.
Coquelin was born on January 23, 1841, in Boulogne, France. He studied acting at the Conservatoire in 1859 and in 1860 made his debut at the Comédie-Française. At the age of 23 he was a full member of the company. Although Coquelin excelled in comic parts from classical works, he was also successful in parts such as a romantic lover or an old schoolmaster.
In 1886 Coquelin resigned his position in the Comédie-Française to tour in Europe and the United States. He rejoined the theater in 1890, only to leave it for good two years later when he toured the European capitals with a company of his own. Coquelin was a member of the Renaissance Theatre in Paris from 1895 until 1897, becoming in the latter year director of the Théâtre de la Porte-Saint-Martin. In 1900 he toured in America with Sarah Bernhardt. During his last years Coquelin acted at the Théâtre Sarah Bernhardt. He was the author of three treatises on the craft of the actor: L’Art et le comédien (1880), Les Comédiens par un comédien (1882), and L’Art du comédien (1894). Coquelin died on January 27, 1909.
Coquelin’s son Jean (1865–1944) also became an actor, and his brother, Ernest-Alexandre-Honoré Coquelin (1848–1909), was a member of the Comédie-Française from 1879 until his death. The latter specialized in supporting comedy parts.