LAFONT

lafont, pierre cheri (1797-1873), french actor, was born at bordeaux on the 15th of may 1797. abandoning his profession as assistant ship's doctor in the navy, he went to paris to study singing and acting. he had some experience at a small theatre, and was preparing to appear at the opera comique when the director of the vaudeville offered him an engagement. here he made his _debut_ in 1821 in _la somnambule_, and his good looks and excellent voice soon brought him into public favour. after several years at the nouveautes and the vaudeville, on the burning of the latter in 1838 he went to england, and married, at gretna green, jenny colon, from whom he was soon divorced. on his return to paris he joined the varietes, where he acted for fifteen years in such plays as _le chevalier de saint georges_, _le lion empaille_, _une derniere conquete_, &c. another engagement at the vaudeville followed, and one at the gaiete, and he ended his brilliant career at the gymnase in the part of the noble father in such plays as les _vieux garcons_ and _nos bons villageois_. he died in paris on the 19th of april 1873.