Étienne Mélingue

Finally chance gave him an opportunity to show his talents, and at the Porte Saint Martin he became the popular interpreter of romantic drama of the type popularized by Alexandre Dumas, père. One of his greatest successes was as Benvenuto Cellini, in which he displayed his ability both as an actor and as a sculptor, really modelling before the eyes of the audience a statue of Hebe. He sent a number of statuettes to the various exhibitions, notably one of Gilbert Louis Duprez as William Tell. Mélingue's wife, Théodorine Thiesset (1813–1886), was the actress selected by Victor Hugo to create the part of Guanhumara in Burgraves at the Comédie-Française, where she remained ten years. He created the part of D'Artagnan in The Youth of The Musketeers and The Musketeer (a dramatization of 20 Years After by Dumas) and also the part of Lagardere in Feval and Anciet-Bourgeois's Hunchback.

* • Dumas, Une Vie d'artiste; Aventures et tribulations d'un comédien (1854). • Étienne Mélingue caricature

The authorities additionally record the headings Etienne Melingue, Etienne-Marin Mélingue, Etienne Marin Melingue and Étienne Marin Mélingue. His recorded language was French. He married Madame Mélingue. 2 children are recorded: Gaston Mélingue and Lucien-Étienne Mélingue.