Richard Burbage portrayed parts.
Richard Burbage ( 6 January 1567 -- 12 March 1619 ) is considered the first great actor of English theatre . He was the younger brother of Cuthbert Burbage . He played the title role in the first performances of many of Shakespeare 's plays , including Hamlet , Othello , Richard III , and King Lear . But he was in great demand and also appeared in the plays of many of the great contemporary writers , such as Ben Jonson ( the title role in Volpone , and Subtle in The Alchemist ) , John Marston ( The Malcontent ) , John Webster ( The Duchess of Malfi ) and Beaumont and Fletcher ( The Maid 's Tragedy ) . Burbage 's power and scope as an actor is revealed in the sheer size of the roles he played .