Eugène Silvain

Eugène-Charles-Joseph Silvain (17 June 1851 - 21 August 1930) was a French stage actor, pensionnaire of the Comédie française, sociétaire then dean of the compagny from 1878 to 1928. He left the army to devote himself to opera. He made his debut in Algeria, then played Beaumarchais in Paris. He was received at the Conservatoire d'art dramatique, and later admitted at the Comédie-Française where he was very successful.

In 1883, he became sociétaire of the Comédie-Française. Silvain only had one film acting role, two years before his death, but his appearance as Pierre Cauchon in Carl Theodor Dreyer's classic The Passion of Joan of Arc earned him a small spot in film history.

He married Louise Silvain, a tragedian with a brilliant career at the théâtre de l'Odéon, then at the Comédie-Française.

He was cremated and his ashes are located at the Père Lachaise Cemetery (case 4454 of the columbarium).