In 1862 he became a member of the company of the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées before joining a troupe performing in Montmartre. Moving on to the Théâtre de l'Athénée he was spotted by Offenbach who engaged him for Rabastens in Pomme d'api in 1873, followed the same year by La Cocardière in La jolie parfumeuse (which included one of his catch-phrases "C’est immense!"); these were followed by many roles at the Théâtre de la Renaissance and the Bouffes-Parisiens.
