Jacques Brel
Jacques Brel
Biography
Jacques Romain Georges Brel (8 April 1929 – 9 October 1978) was a Belgian singer, songwriter, actor and director who composed and performed literate, thoughtful, and theatrical songs that generated a large, devoted following—initially in Belgium and France, later throughout the world. He is considered a master of the modern chanson. Although he recorded most of his songs in French and occasionally in Dutch, he became an influence on English-speaking songwriters and performers, such as Scott Walker, David Bowie, Alex Harvey, Marc Almond, Neil Hannon, and Rod McKuen. English translations of his songs were recorded by many performers, including Bowie, Walker, Ray Charles, Judy Collins, John Denver, The Kingston Trio, Nina Simone, Shirley Bassey, James Dean Bradfield, Frank Sinatra, and Andy Williams. Brel was a successful actor, appearing in 10 films. He directed two films, one of which, Le Far West, was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1973. Having sold over 25 million records worldwide, Brel is the third best-selling Belgian recording artist of all time. Brel married Thérèse "Miche" Michielsen in 1950, and the couple had three children. He also had a romantic relationship with actress and dancer Maddly Bamy from 1972 until his death in 1978. Jacques Romain Georges Brel was born on 8 April 1929 in Schaerbeek, Brussels, to Élisabeth "Lisette" (née Lambertine) and Romain Brel. He came from a family of Flemish descent (who had adopted the French language); part of his family originated in Zandvoorde, near Ypres. His father worked for Cominex, an import–export firm, and later became co-director of a company that manufactured cardboard. Jacques and his older brother Pierre grew up in an austere household, and attended a Catholic primary school, École Saint-Viateur, run by the order of Saint Viator. Remembered as a courteous and manageable pupil, Brel did well in reading and writing, but struggled through arithmetic and Dutch. The boys were also members of the local Boy Scout troop, and enjoyed their time at summer camp and on family outings to the North Sea coast. In Brussels, the family lived at 138 Avenue du Diamant in Schaerbeek, then moved to 26 Boulevard Belgica in Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, and finally settled at 7 Rue Jacques-Manne in Anderlecht. Brel was close to his mother, fascinated by her generosity and sense of humour, which he inherited. ... Source: Article "Jacques Brel" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Known For
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
56
Gender
Male
Birthday
1929-04-08 (96 years old)
Place of Birth
Schaerbeek, Brussels, Belgium
Acting

2018

Lino Ventura, la part intime as Self (archive footage)

2017

Jacques Brel, fou de vivre as Self (archive footage)

2011

D'un film à l'autre as Self (archive footage)

2008

J’aime les Belges ! as Self (archive footage)

2008

Brel à Knokke as Self

2007

Scott Walker: 30 Century Man as Self (archive footage)

2006

Legends as Self (archive footage)

1987

Sacrée soirée as Self (archive footage)

1987

Le monde est à vous as Self (archive footage)

1985

Brel, un cri as Self (archive footage)

1982

Champs-Elysées as Self (archive footage)

1982

Brel as Self (archive footage)

1973

A Pain in the Ass as François Pignon

1973

Far West as Jacques

1972

Le Grand Échiquier as Self

1972

Midi trente as Self

1972

Money Money Money as Jacques

1972

The Bar at the Crossing as Vincent Van Horst

1972

Franz as Léon

1971

Samedi soir as Self

1971

Law Breakers as Bernard Level

1970

Mont-Dragon as Georges Dormond - un aspirant dégradé

1969

Unsere kleine Show as Self

1969

My Uncle Benjamin as Benjamin Rathery

1968

Bonnot's Gang as Raymond la Science

1967

Risky Business as Jean Doucet

1962

Petit Jour as Self

1959

Discorama as Self
Crew

1998

Man of La Mancha Translator

1994

I'm a Gigolo Songs

1985

Brel Music

1985

Brel Lyricist

1973

A Pain in the Ass Original Music Composer

1973

Far West Director

1973

Far West Screenplay

1973

Far West Original Music Composer

1972

Franz Director

1972

Franz Writer

1972

Franz Original Music Composer

1969

My Uncle Benjamin Original Music Composer

1967

Risky Business Original Music Composer