BELLECOUR

original name Jean-claude-gilles Colson born Jan. 16, 1725, Paris died Nov. 19, 1778, Paris playwright who also was one of the leading comic actors of the Comdie-Franaise (q.v.). The son of a portraitist, he was a painter in his youth, while concurrently appearing in various amateur theatrical productions. His success on stage caused him to set aside painting and become an actor. After playing in the provinces, he made his debut at the Comdie-Franaise on Dec. 21, 1750, as Achilles in Racine's Iphignie. Bellecour established his reputation, however, in comic roles. He had entered the Comdie-Franaise concurrently with the famous French tragedian Lekain. Because of his superb stage presence, Bellecour was preferred. Upon Lekain's formal admission to the company, however, Bellecour forfeited the tragic roles and thus became an outstanding comedian, for which he was more suited. He wrote a successful play, Les Fausses Apparences ("The False Appearances"), in 1761.