Léonce (actor)

Édouard-Théodore Nicole (1823 – 19 February 1900), known as Léonce, was a French actor and singer.

Biography

Léonce was born in Paris. After studying law, he made his stage debut at the Théâtre de Belleville.

In the 1850s, he was engaged at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens by Jacques Offenbach and sang many roles in the works of Offenbach and Hervé. After some time at the Théâtre de l'Athenée, he played in the premieres of Tromb-al-ca-zar, Croquefer, Orphée aux Enfers, Mesdames de la Halle and Monsieur Choufleuri. For several years, he appeared at the Théâtre des Variétés including in Les brigands, Le docteur Ox, La vie parisienne and La Périchole.

After an unwise investment in a café, he ended his life in poverty. He died at Raincy on 19 February 1900.

Sources

• Gänzl Kurt. The Encyclopedia of the Musical Theatre. Blackwell, Oxford, 1994.
• This article incorporates some material re-edited from French Wikipedia