Jean-Gaspard Deburau

Jean-Gaspard Deburau (born Jan Ka?par Dvo?ák on July 31, 1796 - June 17, 1846) was a Bohemian-French actor and mime.

Related Topics:
July 31 - 1796 - June 17 - 1846 - Bohemia - French - Actor - Mime

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Born in Kolín, Bohemia (now Czech Republic), he adapted the conventions of Italian commedia dell'arte to Parisian tastes. He performed in Paris at the Théâtre des Funambules, which was immortalized in Marcel Carné's poetic realist film Les Enfants du Paradis ("Children of Paradise"), 1945. His most famous mime character was Pierrot, whose classic image Debureau fixed, a moonstruck tragic silent suffering lover in a flowing white smock and pantaloons.

Related Topics:
Kolín - Bohemia - Czech Republic - Commedia dell'arte - Paris - Théâtre des Funambules - Marcel Carné - Les Enfants du Paradis - Pierrot

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Deburau is buried at the famous Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. After his death his son Charles Durburau took over his school and established the modern tradition of whiteface mime, personified for many English speakers by Marcel Marceau.

Related Topics:
Père Lachaise Cemetery - Marcel Marceau

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