Charles Princerigadin

Vocation

Notable

Family

French film actor and comedian, best known for his screen persona "Rigadin" in numerous short slapstick comedies. He was also known as "Moritz" in Germany, "Whiffles" in England and the USA, and "Tartufini" in Italy. He was the second biggest film star in the world in the years leading up to World War I, just behind his rival Max Linder. Prince's "Rigadin" character was similar to Linder's "Max" in that they were both upper-class dandies that were constantly getting into trouble with authority figures and love interests. Prince began his acting career on the stage and was hired by Pathé Frères in 1908. He made over 200 films as "Rigadin" from 1909 until 1920. By 1920 his popularity had faded and he played supporting roles in a handful of films in the 1920s and 1930s. On 20 December 1900 in Paris he married Emily Straham-Cager, a music hall artiste who performed under the name Miss Campton (1882-1930). They divorced two years later. He married Gabrielle "Gabby" Marchoux in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés on 1 September 1914. She was a comedian-actress nicknamed Totoche. He died on 18 July 1933, aged 61, in Paris, France. Link to Wikipedia biography