Berthelier was born in Panissières, the son of a notary.
He was spotted by Jacques Offenbach and engaged in the inaugural company of the Bouffes-Parisiens, scoring a success in Les deux aveugles, and going on to triumph in Une nuit blanche (as Paimpol), Le violoneux (Pierre) and Ba-ta-clan (Kokikako); he is sometimes credited with 'discovering' Hortense Schneider [REF].