Molé (Molet), François-René

Molé [Molet], François-René [ François-René Molet] (1734–1802), French actor, who first appeared at the Comédie-Française in 1754, and after six years in the provinces became a member of the company, playing young heroes and lovers. He soon became immensely popular. He excelled in comedy, and was usually content to leave the tragic roles to others, but ironically he was destined to be the first French Hamlet, in 1769, in an adaptation made by Ducis. This was nothing like Shakespeare's play, but audiences liked it, and Molé was considered good in the part. In later life he became fat, but lost nothing of his agility of mind and body. An adherent of the Revolution, he escaped prison, and went to play revolutionary drama at the theatre of Mlle Montansier. When the Comédie-Française reopened in 1799, he returned with his wife, who was also a member of the company, and remained there until his death.