Baddeley's origins are obscure, but he worked as a valet and a cook before undertaking a tour of Europe which gave him knowledge of languages. He turned to acting and made his stage debut in 1760 at the Haymarket Theatre London, later appearing in productions at Drury Lane and Dublin. His vocation was comedy, and he excelled in comedy foreigners in pays such as 'The School For Scandal' and 'The Clandestine Marriage'. He had a troubled marriage to the actress Sophia Baddeley, and an argument over his marital affairs led to him fighting a duel with George, brother of the famous actor David Garrick. Fortunately no-one was hurt, although the couple separated. He continued acting, dying after being taken ill while preparing for a performance of 'School For Scandal'.
Baddeley's origins are obscure, but he worked as a valet and a cook before undertaking a tour of Europe which gave him knowledge of languages. He turned to acting and made his stage debut in 1760 at the Haymarket Theatre London, later appearing in productions at Drury Lane and Dublin. His vocation was comedy, and he excelled in comedy foreigners in pays such as 'The School For Scandal' and 'The Clandestine Marriage'. He had a troubled marriage to the actress Sophia Baddeley, and an argument over his marital affairs led to him fighting a duel with George, brother of the famous actor David Garrick. Fortunately no-one was hurt, although the couple separated. He continued acting, dying after being taken ill while preparing for a performance of 'School For Scandal'.
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