Bejart, Madeleine (1618–1672)

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Bejart, Madeleine (1618–1672)

French actress. Name variations: Béjart. Born Madeleine Bejart in 1618; died Feb 17, 1672; dau. of Joseph (official in the Chief Bureau of Forests and Waterways) and Marie (Hervé) Bejart.

Headed a traveling company, which included her siblings Geneviève, Joseph, and Louis, before meeting Molière and forming the Illustre Thcovereâtre (June 1643); acted in the troupe and also managed its finances until her death; her most famous roles, some of which were created especially for her by Molière, were Marotte in The Affected Young Ladies (1659), Lisette in The School for Husbands (1661) and Dorine in Tartuffe (1664).

See also Women in World History.

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