Sacha Distel
Acting • Born 1933-01-29 – Died 2004-07-22
Biography
Alexandre "Sacha" Distel (29 January 1933 – 22 July 2004) was a French singer, guitarist, songwriter and actor who had hits with a cover version of "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" in 1970, which reached No 10 in the UK Charts, "Scoubidou", and "The Good Life". He was made Chevalier (Knight) of the Légion d'honneur in 1997. He had also scored a hit as a songwriter when Tony Bennett recorded Sacha's song for The Good Life in 1963. It peaked at #18 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart and Top 10 on the Easy Listening chart. Distel was the son of Russian-French emigre Léonide Distel who was born in Odessa (Russian Empire) and French-Jewish pianist Andrée Ventura (1902–1965), born in Constantinople. His uncle was bandleader Ray Ventura. After Ventura settled in Paris with his orchestra Les Collégiens, Distel gave up piano and switched to guitar. During his career, Distel worked with Kenny Clarke, Jimmy Gourley, Lionel Hampton, Slide Hampton, Bobby Jaspar, Barney Kessel, John Lewis, Pierre Michelot, Bernard Peiffer, Henri Renaud, Fats Sadi, Art Simmons, Martial Solal, René Urtreger, and Barney Wilen. As well as his musical career he also did some acting, primarily on French television. He had a cameo appearance in the 1960 film Zazie dans le Métro. He appeared in "Fallen Angels" by Noel Coward on British television in 1974. Distel was involved with actress Brigitte Bardot in 1958, having invited her to his birthday party in Saint-Tropez. The relationship ended in 1959. He married championship Olympic skier Francine Bréaud in 1963. Distel publicly stated that he remained faithful to his wife: "Anything I want in a woman I can get at home." Distel died of cancer at the age of 71 on 22 July 2004 at his mother in law's home in Rayol-Canadel, near Saint-Tropez, France. Source: Article "Sacha Distel" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA.
Filmography
71 credits
Drôle de Noël pour Jérémy
Movie • 1995
Self
We Will Go to Deauville
Movie • 1962
Self
Without Apparent Motive
Movie • 1971
Julien Sabirnou
A Song for Eurotrash
Movie • 1998
Self - Special Guest
The Delinquents
Movie • 1960
Bernard
L'Âge d'or de la pub
Movie • 2023
Self (archive footage)
Elis & Tom: It Had to be You
Movie • 2023
Self (archive footage)
Femmes de Paris
Movie • 1953
Self (uncredited)
Numéro un - Demis Roussos
Movie • 2020
Self
La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président
Movie • 2022
Self (archive footage)
The Real Bargain
Movie • 1965
Self (uncredited)
Sheila, toutes ces vies-là
Movie • 2022
Self (archive footage)
Spécial Bardot
Movie • 1968
Self
Sing, aber spiel nicht mit mir
Movie • 1963
Self
How to Make a French Dish
Movie • 1964
Roger
The Crook
Movie • 1970
Self
Zazie dans le Métro
Movie • 1960
Cameo Appearance (uncredited)
Fallen Angels
Movie • 1974
Maurice Duclos
Happy End!
Movie • 1964
Show - Charme - Chansons
Movie • 1965
Self
Alice und Ellen
Movie • 1971
Self
Brigitte Bardot : Divine B.B.
Movie • 2004
Treffpunkt Telebar
TV • 1961
Self
Lieben Sie Show ?
TV • 1962
Self
Surprise, Surprise
TV • 1984
Self
Numéro un
TV • 1975
Self
TV Intim
TV • 1969
Self
Chanter la vie
TV • 2001
Self
Russell Harty
TV • 1980
The Liberace Show
TV • 1952
Fantasy World Cup
TV • 1998
Self
Le monde est à vous
TV • 1987
Self
Three of a Kind
TV • 1981
Self
Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
TV • 1975
Self
Cilla
TV • 1968
Self
Musik ist Trumpf
TV • 1975
Self
The Mrs Merton Show
TV • 1995
Self
The Ed Sullivan Show
TV • 1948
Self
Hätten Sie heut’ Zeit für mich?
TV • 1972
Self
Musik aus Studio B
TV • 1961
Self
Starparade
TV • 1968
Self
Le Grand Échiquier
TV • 1972
Self
Cadet Rousselle
TV • 1971
Self
Dim Dam Dom
TV • 1965
Self
Numéro un
TV • 1975
Self - Host
Système 2
TV • 1975
Self
Champs-Elysées
TV • 1982
Self
Midi Première
TV • 1975
Self
Il était une fois Champs-Élysées
TV • 2022
Self (archive footage)
Fan School
TV • 1977
Self
Star Academy
TV • 2001
Self
Wie wär’s heut’ mit Revue?
TV • 1983
Self
La Chance aux chansons
TV • 1984
Self
Téléthon
TV • 1987
Self
Anneliese Rothenberger gibt sich die Ehre
TV • 1971
Self
Meine Melodie
TV • 1965
Self
Die Drehscheibe
TV • 1964
Self
40° à l'ombre
TV • 1987
Self
Vivement dimanche
TV • 1998
Self
Matin Bonheur
TV • 1987
Self
Discorama
TV • 1959
Self
Stars 90
TV • 1990
Self
30 millions d'amis
TV • 1976
Self
Samedi soir
TV • 1971
Self
Midi trente
TV • 1972
Self
Parkinson
TV • 1998
Self
Frou-Frou
TV • 1992
Self - Guest
Sacrée Soirée
TV • 1987
Self
Sacrée Soirée
TV • 1987
Self (archive footage)
Frost on Sunday
TV • 1968
Self – Guest
Absolutely Fabulous
TV • 1992
Self