BETTERTON, Thomas, English actor: b. August 1635; d. London, 28 April 1710. He was the son of an under-cook in the service of Charles I, and was apprenticed to a bookseller in London. His master, Mr. Rhodes, obtained a license for a company of players in 1659, and with him Betterton commenced his career. He was engaged by Davenant in 1661 for Lincoln's Inn Fields theatre. He was sent by royal com mand to visit Paris with a view to the adoption of French methods of staging, etc., in England. For his performance of Alvan in (Lave for Love,' Charles II lent him his coronation suit. His position was pre-eminent. He seetns to have had no personal graces from nature to second his rare talents, if the following account be true: gMr. Betterton, though a superlatively good actor, labored under an ill figure, being clumsily made, having a great head, a short thick neck, stooped in the shoulders, and had -fat, short arms, which he rarely lifted higher than his stomach. His left hand -frequently lodged in his breast between his coat and waist coat; while with his right he prepared his speech; his actions were few but just; he had little eyes and a broad face, a little pockfretten; a corpulent body, and thick legs, with large feet; he was better to meet than to follow, for his aspect was serious, venerable, and majestic.
In his latter time, a little paralytic; his voice was low and grumbling, yet he conld tune it by an artful climax which enforced ttniversal intention even from the fops and orange girls. He was incapable of dancing even in a country dancel as was Mr. Barry, but their good qualities were more than equal to their defi ciencies." Betterton had the rare faculty of identifying himself with his part. He married Mrs. Sanderson, an actress of almost equal merit with himself, whose Lady .Macbeth was reckoned a perfect piece of acting. He was prudent and saving, but he lost his small means in a commercial speculation, and a theatre which he afterward opened was not successful. After his retirement from the stage, he reappeared in his old age a few times to take a benefit, lus last appearance being 13 April 1710. He was the author of three plays. He was buried in Westminster Abbey. Consult Howe, 'Thomas Betterton> (1801) ; 'Life and Times of Thomas Betterton) (1888).