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Jacques Brel

Acting 49 (deceased) years old Schaerbeek, Brussels, Belgium ★ 0.3
Born: April 8, 1929
Died: October 9, 1978

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.

Filmography

Acting Credits (39)

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

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