Julia Bartet was the stage name of Jeanne-Julie Regnault (28 October 1854 – 18 November 1941), a French actress. After training at the Paris Conservatoire she began her professional career in 1872, and from 1880 to her retirement in 1920 she was a leading member of the Comédie-Française. Her range was wide, and she appeared in classic plays and modern drama, in comedy and tragedy.
Life and career
Early years
Bartet was born Jeanne-Julie Regnault on 20 October 1854 in the 1st arrondissement of Paris.
She studied at the Paris Conservatoire under the prominent actor and teacher François-Joseph Regnier. She won the conservatoire's second prize for comedy in 1872 and made her first professional stage appearance in October of that year, adopting the stage name Bartet to avoid confusion with the established star actress Alice Regnault. Her first role was Vivette in the first production of Daudet 's L'Arlesienne at the Théâtre du Vaudeville, Paris. Her retirement from the stage in 1920 was international news. In London The Times called it a loss that all French people would feel; The New York Herald praised Bartet's generosity in stepping down to make way for younger members of the Comédie-Française, but asked, "Who among the younger actressess is capable of filling Mme. Bartet's place?" On her retirement she was made an Officier of the Legion of Honour.