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 rom…

Movies & TV Shows

1. A Pain in the Ass (1973) — François Pignon
2. Money Money Money (1972) — Jacques
3. My Uncle Benjamin (1969) — Benjamin Rathery
4. Risky Business (1967) — Jean Doucet
5. Scott Walker: 30 Century Man (2007) — Self (archive footage)
6. Law Breakers (1971) — Investigating Judge Bernard Level
7. Bonnot's Gang (1968) — Raymond la Science
8. Franz (1972) — Léon
9. Far West (1973) — Jacques
10. Mont-Dragon (1970) — Georges Dormond - un aspirant dégradé
11. The Bar at the Crossing (1972) — Vincent Van Horst
12. Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (1975) — Self
13. Champs-Elysées (1982) — Self (archive footage)
14. Lino Ventura, la part intime (2018) — Self (archive footage)
15. Sacrée soirée (1987) — Self (archive footage)
16. Jacques Brel, fou de vivre (2017) — Self (archive footage)
17. Jacques Brel - Les Adieux à l'Olympia (1966) — Self
18. Le Grand Échiquier (1972) — Self
19. Jacques Brel - Comme quand on était beau (2003) — Self
20. Jacques Brel à Knokke-le-Zoute, 1963 (1963) — Self
21. Brel, un cri (1985) — Self (archive footage)
22. Brel (1982) — Self (archive footage)
23. Petit Jour (1962) — Self
24. Ultra, je t'aime (1967) — Narrateur
25. The Man Who Dares (1967) — Introducer
26. Legends (2006) — Self (archive footage)
27. Discorama (1959) — Self
28. Samedi soir (1971) — Self
29. Midi trente (1972) — Self
30. J’aime les Belges ! (2008) — Self (archive footage)
31. Brel, Brassens, Ferré, trois hommes sur la photo (1969) — Self
32. Jacques Brel, une vie à mille temps (2015) — Self (archive footage)
33. Brel à Knokke (2008) — Self
34. La Folle Histoire de François Pignon - De La chèvre au Dîner de cons (2015) — Self (archive footage)
35. Pitié pour une ombre (1967) — Narrator
36. Le testament de Mr Breggins (1965) — Narrateur
37. France, Song (1969) — Himself
38. Le monde est à vous (1987) — Self (archive footage)
39. Unsere kleine Show - Musik zur blauen Stunde (1969) — Self

Directed

1. Franz (1972) — Director
2. Far West (1973) — Director