Person Details

Birthday:

Aliases: No known aliases

Gender: Male

Place of birth: Schaerbeek, Brussels, Belgium

Homepage: https://fondationbrel.be/

Movie Involvements: 35

TV Involvements: 4


Most Famous Work

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.

Most Famous Work

Le Grand Échiquier
Average
8

Le Grand Échiquier

(1972) Self
Midi trente
Average
6

Midi trente

(1972) Self
Legends
Average
5

Legends

(2006) Self (archive footage)
Unsere kleine Show
Average
0

Unsere kleine Show

(1969) Self
Law Breakers
Average
5

Law Breakers

(1971) Bernard Level
Scott Walker: 30 Century Man
Average
7

Scott Walker: 30 Century Man

(2007) Self (archive footage)
Bonnot's Gang
Average
5

Bonnot's Gang

(1968) Raymond la Science
Risky Business
Average
7

Risky Business

(1967) Jean Doucet

Acting

Year Character Movie/Tv
2018 Self (archive footage)
2017 Self (archive footage)
2015 Self
2011 Self (archive footage)
2008 Self
Self (archive footage)
2007 Self (archive footage)
2006 Self (archive footage)
2004 Self
1985 Self (archive footage)
1982 Self (archive footage)
Self (archive footage)
1975 Self
1973 François Pignon
Jacques
1972 Vincent Van Horst
Jacques
Self
Léon
Self
1971 Bernard Level
Self
1970 Georges Dormond - un aspirant dégradé
1969 Benjamin Rathery
Self
1968 Raymond la Science
1967 Jean Doucet
1966 Self
1963 Self
1962 Self
1959 Self
Year Character Movie/Tv

Sound

Crew

Year Role Movie/Tv
1998 Translator
Year Role Movie/Tv

Writing

Directing

Year Role Movie/Tv
1973 Director
1972 Director
Year Role Movie/Tv

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