Benoit Constant Coquelin

Coquelin, Constant-Benoît (1841–1909), French actor, known as Coquelin aîné to distinguish him from his brother Ernest-Alexandre-Honoré (1848–1909), also an actor, known as Coquelin cadet. They were both at the Comédie-Française, Coquelin aîné finally leaving the company in 1892 after a long absence on tour in Europe and America. Six years later he appeared at the Porte-Saint-Martin as Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac, his son Jean playing Ragueneau the pastrycook. In 1900 he toured with Sarah Bernhardt, with whom he had appeared at her own theatre in Rostand's L'Aiglon (1898), and towards the end of his life he was seen frequently in London where he was very popular. He died suddenly while rehearsing Rostand's Chantecler, in which he was to have played the lead, Coquelin cadet dying insane a fortnight later. A big man with a fine voice and presence, Coquelin aîné was outstanding in the great comic roles of Molière and in romantic and flamboyant modern parts. He was the author of two books, L'Art et le comédien (1880) and Les Comédiens par un comédien (1882).

Benoît Constant Coquelin , 1841-1909, French actor, known as Coquelin aîné [the elder]. He made his debut at the Comédie française in 1860 and achieved fame in classic comic roles, such as the valets in Molière's plays and Beaumarchais's Figaro. He made an extensive tour of Europe and America in 1886. In 1897 he created his greatest characterization, the title role in Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac, at the Théâtre de la Porte-Saint-Martin, which he also managed. In 1900 he toured the United States with Sarah Bernhardt and returned to Paris to play opposite her in Rostand's L'Aiglon. Highly critical and analytical toward his art, and believing in simulated rather than real emotions, he wrote L'Art et le comédien (1880) and Les Comédiens, par un comédien (1882); his approach led to an interesting debate with Sir Henry Irving on techniques of acting. His brother, Ernest Alexandre Honoré Coquelin, 1848-1909, known as Coquelin cadet [the younger], acted at the Comédie française after 1868. At his best in secondary comic roles, he was also popular for his monologues and several amusing books written under the pseudonym Pirouette.