Actor. Born in Paris, France, he started performing when he was young in amateur theatricals and made his professional stage debut at the Comédie-Française in 1787. He became one of the early advocates of historical costuming performing in period clothes while in character. His reforms in acting styles, stage costuming and scenery made him a leading precursor of 19th century French romanticism and realism. He also was a noted theatrical company manager for other performers theatre stage crews of his time.