Edmond Rostand.

Edmond Eugène Joseph Alexis Rostand

Born 1 Apr 1868 Marseille, France

Died 2 Dec 1918 Paris, France

Citizenship France

8 min read

Reading time

1,474

Words

Mar 2, 2026

Published

Film credit

Books

Awards

TL;DR

Edmond Rostand, born in 1868 in Marseille, wrote Cyrano de Bergerac in 1897, which earned him international fame. He also wrote Les Romantiques 1894 and Chantecler 1910. Rostand was a commander of the Legion of Honour and a member of the Académie française. He died of influenza in Paris in 1918.

Identity & family.

KIN · 7

Names, aliases, and relatives of Edmond Rostand — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Edmond Eugène Joseph Alexis Rostand

Aliases Edomon Rostan, Rostand

PARENTS: Angèle Gayet Eugène Rostand
SPOUSES: Rosemonde Gerard
CHILDREN: Maurice Rostand Jean Rostand
SIBLINGS: Juliette Rostand Jeanne Rostand

At a glance.

STATS

Edmond Rostand by the numbers — life, work, and family.

50 Years lived

1 Film credit

16 Books

2 Awards

1 Marriage

2 Children

Who was Edmond Rostand?

BIOGRAPHY

Edmond Rostand — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Edmond Rostand, born on 1 April 1868 in Marseille to economist Eugène Rostand and Angèle Gayet, grew up in a cultured home with his sisters Juliette and Jeanne.

He attended Lycée Thiers in Marseille. At age twenty, he achieved his first Paris success with the vaudeville sketch Le Gant Rouge.

Career

Rostand achieved his first major success with the 1894 play Les Romantiques, later adapted as the musical The Fantasticks.

In 1897, he wrote his most famous work, Cyrano de Bergerac, which premiered in Paris and became an international sensation.

He followed with L’Aiglon 1901 and Chantecler 1910. Rostand was elected to the Académie française and made a commander of the Legion of Honour. After the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915, he wrote a long poem condemning the German ambassador.

Personal life

Rostand married Rosemonde Gerard, a poet and granddaughter of Napoleonic general Count Etienne Gerard.

They had two sons: Maurice Rostand, a playwright, and Jean Rostand, a biologist and writer. Rostand died of influenza on 2 December 1918 in Paris, survived by his wife and son Jean.

Legacy

Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac remains his lasting legacy, frequently adapted for stage and screen. The 1973 Los Angeles production at the Ahmanson Theatre won a Drama Critics Circle Award.

The character of Cyrano has been played by actors such as José Ferrer, Gérard Depardieu, and Richard Chamberlain. Rostand’s influence extends beyond theater; his son Jean Rostand became a prominent biologist.

Filmography.

FILMS · 1

Browse the complete filmography of Edmond Rostand — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

Movie

Those of Our Land

1915

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 2

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Edmond Rostand — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Commander of the Legion of Honour
Prix Toirac

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 16

Edmond Rostand's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

Cyrano De Bergerac

by Edmond Rostand
Amazon

L' Aiglon

by Edmond Rostand
Amazon

Les Romanesques

by Edmond Rostand
Amazon

La Samaritaine

by Edmond Rostand
Amazon

L'Aiglon

by Edmond Rostand
Amazon

The Romancers

by Edmond Rostand
Amazon

Cyrano

by Edmond Rostand

Could not load more books.

Did you know?

FACTS · 4

Little-known facts about Edmond Rostand — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

The 1973 production of Cyrano de Bergerac at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles received the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Distinguished Production.
In Cyrano de Bergerac, Rostand borrows the character D’Artagnan from Alexandre Dumas’ The Three Musketeers. This has led to cross-referencing in film adaptations: José Ferrer, who played Cyrano, later played Athos in The Fifth Musketeer 1979; Gérard Depardieu, who played Cyrano, later played Porthos in The Man in the Iron Mask 1998; and Richard Chamberlain, who played Aramis in The Three Musketeers 1973, played Cyrano on stage in 1973.
Rostand was the father of biologist and writer Jean Rostand.
Rostand was also the father of playwright Maurice Rostand.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 40

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Edmond Rostand.

When was Edmond Rostand born?

Edmond Rostand was born on 1 April 1868. He was born in Marseille, France.
Where was Edmond Rostand born?

Edmond Rostand was born in Marseille, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of France. His birthplace is a port city on the Mediterranean coast.
When did Edmond Rostand die?

Edmond Rostand died on 2 December 1918. He was 50 years old at the time of his death.
How old was Edmond Rostand when he died?

Edmond Rostand was 50 years old when he died in 1918. He was born in 1868.
Where did Edmond Rostand die?

Edmond Rostand died in Paris, France. He passed away in the capital city.
How did Edmond Rostand die?

Edmond Rostand died of influenza. He fell ill and passed away on 2 December 1918 in Paris.
What is Edmond Rostand's real name?

Edmond Rostand’s full birth name is Edmond Eugène Joseph Alexis Rostand. He was born with that name on 1 April 1868.
What did Edmond Rostand do for a living?

Edmond Rostand was a writer, primarily a playwright and poet. He is best known for his theatrical works such as Cyrano de Bergerac.
What nationality was Edmond Rostand?

Edmond Rostand was French. He was born in Marseille, France, and held French citizenship.
What language did Edmond Rostand speak?

Edmond Rostand’s native language was French. All his plays and poems were written in French.
Who were Edmond Rostand's parents?

Edmond Rostand’s parents were Angèle Gayet and Eugène Rostand. His father was a distinguished economist.
Who was Edmond Rostand married to?

Edmond Rostand married Rosemonde Gerard. She was a poet and a granddaughter of Count Etienne Gerard, a Napoleonic general.
Did Edmond Rostand have children?

Yes, Edmond Rostand had two sons: Maurice Rostand and Jean Rostand. Maurice became a playwright, and Jean became a biologist and writer.
Did Edmond Rostand have any siblings?

Yes, Edmond Rostand had two sisters: Juliette Rostand and Jeanne Rostand. They were his siblings.
Where did Edmond Rostand go to school?

Edmond Rostand attended Lycée Thiers. This school is located in Marseille, France.
What awards did Edmond Rostand win?

Edmond Rostand won the Commander of the Legion of Honour and the Prix Toirac. These are major French honors.
How many awards did Edmond Rostand win?

Edmond Rostand received at least two major awards: the Commander of the Legion of Honour and the Prix Toirac. He may have received others not listed.
What is Edmond Rostand best known for?

Edmond Rostand is best known for his play Cyrano de Bergerac, which he wrote in 1897. It is a classic of French theater and has been adapted many times.
What other names is Edmond Rostand known by?

Edmond Rostand is also credited as Edomon Rostan and simply Rostand. These aliases appear in various references and credits.
What was Edmond Rostand's first success?

Edmond Rostand’s first success came at age twenty with the vaudeville sketch Le Gant Rouge in Paris. He also published a poetry collection Les Musardises in 1890.
What is Cyrano de Bergerac about?

Cyrano de Bergerac is a heroic comedy about a nobleman with a large nose, first performed in 1897. It explores themes of love, honor, and wit.
Did Edmond Rostand serve in World War I?

Edmond Rostand attempted to enlist at the outbreak of World War I but was turned down by French officials. He contributed by writing a poem after the Lusitania sinking.
Was Edmond Rostand a member of the Académie française?

Yes, Edmond Rostand was a member of the Académie française. He was also a commander of the Legion of Honour.
How did Edmond Rostand react to the sinking of the Lusitania?

After the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915, Edmond Rostand wrote a long poem condemning the German ambassador to America. This was his way of responding to the tragedy.
Who compared Rostand's works to Maurice Maeterlinck?

Rostand’s works were often compared to those of Maurice Maeterlinck, the Belgian poet and playwright. This comparison was made by critics of his time.
Did Edmond Rostand read Cyrano to laborers?

Yes, Edmond Rostand personally read Cyrano de Bergerac to an audience of Paris laborers. He also dined with King Edward IV at Biarritz.
What is the 1973 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award related to Rostand?

The 1973 production of Cyrano de Bergerac at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles won that award. It recognized the distinguished production of the play.
Which actor played Cyrano de Bergerac on stage in 1973?

Richard Chamberlain played Cyrano on stage in 1973. That year, the Ahmanson Theatre production won the Drama Critics Circle Award.
How is Cyrano de Bergerac connected to D'Artagnan?

In Cyrano de Bergerac, Rostand borrows the character D’Artagnan from Alexandre Dumas’ The Three Musketeers. This has led to crossover references in film adaptations.
Who are Edmond Rostand's sons?

Edmond Rostand’s sons are Maurice Rostand and Jean Rostand. Maurice became a playwright, and Jean became a biologist and writer.
What did Rostand do at age twenty?

At age twenty, Edmond Rostand achieved his first success with the vaudeville sketch Le Gant Rouge in Paris. This marked the beginning of his career.
What poem did Rostand write about the Lusitania?

After the Lusitania sinking in 1915, Rostand wrote a long poem condemning the German ambassador to America. The poem is not named in the source but is a notable work.
What is Rostand's full birth name?

Edmond Rostand’s full birth name is Edmond Eugène Joseph Alexis Rostand. He was born with this name in Marseille.
What school did Rostand attend?

Edmond Rostand attended Lycée Thiers in Marseille. This is a secondary school in his hometown.
What is Rostand's legacy?

Rostand’s legacy is centered on Cyrano de Bergerac, a play that remains widely performed and adapted. He also influenced theater through his poetic style.
Why is Cyrano de Bergerac still popular?

Cyrano de Bergerac is still popular because of its timeless themes of unrequited love, wit, and heroism. It has been adapted into numerous films and stage productions.
Did Rostand write any poetry?

Yes, Edmond Rostand published a poetry collection Les Musardises in 1890. He also wrote other poems later in his career.
What is the play Les Romantiques?

Les Romantiques is a play written by Rostand in 1894. It was later adapted into the musical The Fantasticks.
What is L'Aiglon?

L’Aiglon is a play written by Rostand in 1901. It is about Napoleon’s son, the Duke of Reichstadt.
What is Chantecler?

Chantecler is a play written by Rostand in 1910. It features farm animals as characters and was popular internationally.

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If something's wrong in a profile, Daniel will find it. With 7 years of research experience, he's developed an almost unreasonable eye for inaccurate career timelines, misattributed credits, and dates that don't quite add up. He doesn't publish anything he can't verify. The profiles on Famousy are as accurate as they are largely because of work you'll never see his name on.

Published on March 2, 2026

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