Sacha Distel

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.

Known For

Sacrée soirée

Sacrée soirée

Vivement dimanche

Champs-Elysées

Absolutely Fabulous

The Ed Sullivan Show

Midi Première

Les Rendez-vous du dimanche

All Movies (23)

• Elis & Tom: It Had to be You2023 · as Self (archive footage)
• L'Âge d'or de la pub2023 · as Self (archive footage)
• Sheila, toutes ces vies-là2022 · as Self (archive footage)
• La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président2022 · as Self (archive footage)
• A Night at the Opera2020
• Numéro un - Demis Roussos2020 · as Self
• Brigitte Bardot : Divine B.B.2004
• A Song for Eurotrash1998 · as Self - Special Guest
• Drôle de Noël pour Jérémy1995 · as Self
• Fallen Angels1974 · as Maurice Duclos
• Without Apparent Motive1971 · as Julien Sabirnou
• Alice und Ellen1971 · as Self
• The Crook1970 · as Self
• Show Bardot1968 · as Self
• The Real Bargain1965 · as Self (uncredited)
• Show - Charme - Chansons1965 · as Self
• Happy End!1964
• How to Make a French Dish1964 · as Roger
• Sing, aber spiel nicht mit mir1963 · as Self
• We Will Go to Deauville1962 · as Self
• Zazie dans le Métro1960 · as Cameo Appearance (uncredited)
• The Delinquents1960 · as Bernard
• Femmes de Paris1953 · as Self (uncredited)

All TV Shows (49)

• Il était une fois Champs-Élysées2022 · as Self (archive footage)
• Star Academy2001 · as Self
• Chanter la vie2001 · as Self
• Vivement dimanche1998 · as Self
• Fantasy World Cup1998 · as Self
• Parkinson1998 · as Self
• The Mrs Merton Show1995 · as Self
• Absolutely Fabulous1992 · as Self
• Frou-Frou1992 · as Self - Guest
• Stars 901990 · as Self
• Téléthon1987 · as Self
• Le monde est à vous1987 · as Self
• Sacrée soirée1987 · as Self
• Sacrée soirée1987 · as Self (archive footage)
• 40° à l'ombre1987 · as Self
• Matin Bonheur1987 · as Self
• Surprise, Surprise1984 · as Self
• La Chance aux chansons1984 · as Self
• Wie wär’s heut’ mit Revue?1983 · as Self
• Champs-Elysées1982 · as Self
• Three of a Kind1981 · as Self
• Russell Harty1980
• Fan School1977 · as Self
• 30 millions d'amis1976 · as Self
• Numéro un1975 · as Self
• Numéro un1975 · as Self - Host
• Système 21975 · as Self
• Les Rendez-vous du dimanche1975 · as Self
• Midi Première1975 · as Self
• Musik ist Trumpf1975 · as Self
• Hätten Sie heut’ Zeit für mich?1972 · as Self
• Midi trente1972 · as Self
• Le Grand Échiquier1972 · as Self
• Anneliese Rothenberger gibt sich die Ehre1971 · as Self
• Cadet Rousselle1971 · as Self
• Samedi soir1971 · as Self
• TV Intim1969 · as Self
• Frost on Sunday1968 · as Self – Guest
• Starparade1968 · as Self
• Cilla1968 · as Self
• Meine Melodie1965 · as Self
• Dim Dam Dom1965 · as Self
• Die Drehscheibe1964 · as Self
• Lieben Sie Show ?1962 · as Self
• Musik aus Studio B1961 · as Self
• Treffpunkt Telebar1961 · as Self
• Discorama1959 · as Self
• The Liberace Show1952
• The Ed Sullivan Show1948 · as Self