Le Petit Mathieu
Actor
About Le Petit Mathieu
Le Petit Mathieu was a French child actor who appeared in the early silent film era, known primarily for his role in the 1912 film 'The Obsession.' His career was remarkably brief, spanning only the single year of 1912, suggesting he may have been either very young during his acting debut or chose not to pursue a career in cinema beyond this initial appearance. The name 'Le Petit Mathieu' translates to 'Little Matthew' in English, indicating it was likely a stage name that emphasized his youth. Like many child actors of the early silent period, his contribution to cinema was fleeting but representative of the era's practice of using young performers in dramatic roles. His appearance in 'The Obsession' places him among the pioneering generation of film actors who worked before the establishment of the Hollywood studio system. Unfortunately, detailed records about his life and career have been lost to time, as was common for many minor performers from cinema's earliest decades.
The Craft
Milestones
- Appeared in 'The Obsession' (1912) during the early silent film era
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Le Petit Mathieu represents the countless anonymous child actors who populated early silent films but whose names have been largely forgotten by film history. His brief appearance in 'The Obsession' (1912) places him among the pioneering generation of performers who helped establish the medium of cinema during its formative years. While his individual contribution was minimal, collectively, performers like him were essential to the development of narrative film and demonstrated the industry's early reliance on child actors for emotional storytelling.
Lasting Legacy
The legacy of Le Petit Mathieu is primarily archival, serving as a reminder of the thousands of early film performers whose contributions have been lost to time. His brief career exemplifies the transient nature of early cinema, where many actors appeared in only one or two films before disappearing from historical records. Film historians and archivists continue to work to identify and document such performers to create a more complete picture of cinema's earliest years.
Who They Inspired
Due to his extremely brief career spanning only 1912, Le Petit Mathieu had no discernible influence on other actors or the film industry. His significance lies not in influence but in his representation of the anonymous many who populated early films and helped establish the medium before the star system was fully developed.
Off Screen
Very little is documented about the personal life of Le Petit Mathieu, which was typical for minor actors of the early silent era who appeared in only one or two films. As a child actor active in 1912, he would have been among the generation of young performers who helped establish the foundation of cinema before the industry became institutionalized.
Did You Know?
- The name 'Le Petit Mathieu' translates to 'Little Matthew' in English
- His entire known film career lasted only one year (1912)
- He appeared during the early silent era when films were still a relatively new medium
- Child actors in the 1910s often worked without formal contracts or long-term studio commitments
- Many early film records were lost or poorly documented, making complete biographies difficult
- The film 'The Obsession' (1912) is itself considered obscure and rarely viewed today
- Early French cinema was among the most innovative in the world during this period
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Le Petit Mathieu?
Le Petit Mathieu was a French child actor who appeared in the silent film 'The Obsession' in 1912. His career was extremely brief, lasting only that single year, and very little biographical information about him has survived from this early period of cinema.
What films is Le Petit Mathieu best known for?
Le Petit Mathieu is known only for his appearance in 'The Obsession' (1912). This appears to be his sole film credit, making him one of the many actors from cinema's earliest years who had very brief careers.
When was Le Petit Mathieu born and when did he die?
Exact birth and death dates for Le Petit Mathieu are unknown, which was common for minor actors of the early silent era. Based on his stage name meaning 'Little Matthew' and his status as a child actor, he would have been quite young in 1912.
What awards did Le Petit Mathieu win?
Le Petit Mathieu did not receive any known awards or recognition during his brief career in 1912. The formal award systems for cinema, such as the Academy Awards, would not be established for many years after his acting work.
What was Le Petit Mathieu's acting style?
No specific information exists about Le Petit Mathieu's acting style. As a child actor in 1912, he would have worked within the exaggerated performance techniques typical of the silent film era, where actors had to convey emotion through gesture and expression without dialogue.
Films
1 film
