Seventeenth-century French theatrical family.
Brothers Joseph ( 0441; 161759) and Louis (163078) and their sisters Madeleine (161872) and Geneviève ( 0441; 162275) were members of a traveling company directed by Madeleine. They joined Molière 's first company, the Illustre Théâtre, in 1643 and created many parts in his plays. Madeleine's sister, or possibly daughter, Armande Béjart (16421700), joined the company in 1653. She married Molière in 1662 and played most of his heroines. After his death, she led the company until it merged with another troupe to become the Comédie-Française in 1680.