
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
January 29, 1933
Died
July 22, 2004 (age 71)
Place of Birth
Paris, France
Also Known As
Sacha Distel et ses Collégiens
Sascha Distel
Sasha Distel
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

TV
Vivement dimanche
Self
1998

TV
Champs-Elysées
Self
1982

TV
Sacrée Soirée
Self
1987

TV
Sacrée Soirée
Self (archive footage)
1987

TV
Parkinson
Self
1998

TV
Midi Première
Self
1975
TV
Die Drehscheibe
Self
1964

TV
Fan School
Self
1977

TV
Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
Self
1975

TV
Star Academy
Self
2001

TV
The Ed Sullivan Show
Self
1948

TV
Le Grand Échiquier
Self
1972

TV
Le monde est à vous
Self
1987

TV
Numéro un
Self
1975

TV
Numéro un
Self - Host
1975
TV
Midi trente
Self
1972

TV
Absolutely Fabulous
Self
1992
TV
Samedi soir
Self
1971

TV
Surprise, Surprise
Self
1984

TV
Discorama
Self
1959
Filmography
2023FilmElis & Tom: It Had to be Youas Self (archive footage)2023FilmL'Âge d'or de la pubas Self (archive footage)2022FilmSheila, toutes ces vies-làas Self (archive footage)2022TVIl était une fois Champs-Élyséesas Self (archive footage)2022FilmLa TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était présidentas Self (archive footage)2020FilmNuméro un - Demis Roussosas Self2004FilmBrigitte Bardot : Divine B.B.2001TVStar Academyas Self2001TVChanter la vieas Self1998TVVivement dimancheas Self1998TVFantasy World Cupas Self1998FilmA Song for Eurotrashas Self - Special Guest1998TVParkinsonas Self1995FilmDrôle de Noël pour Jérémyas Self1995TVThe Mrs Merton Showas Self1992TVAbsolutely Fabulousas Self1992TVFrou-Frouas Self - Guest1990TVStars 90as Self1987TVTéléthonas Self1987TVLe monde est à vousas Self1987TVSacrée Soiréeas Self1987TV40° à l'ombreas Self1987TVMatin Bonheuras Self1984TVSurprise, Surpriseas Self1984TVLa Chance aux chansonsas Self1983TVWie wär’s heut’ mit Revue?as Self1982TVChamps-Elyséesas Self1981TVThree of a Kindas Self1980TVRussell Harty1977TVFan Schoolas Self1976TV30 millions d'amisas Self1975TVNuméro unas Self1975TVSystème 2as Self1975TVLes Rendez-vous du dimancheas Self1975TVMidi Premièreas Self1975TVMusik ist Trumpfas Self1974FilmFallen Angelsas Maurice Duclos1972TVHätten Sie heut’ Zeit für mich?as Self1972TVMidi trenteas Self1972TVLe Grand Échiquieras Self1971TVAnneliese Rothenberger gibt sich die Ehreas Self1971TVCadet Rousselleas Self1971FilmWithout Apparent Motiveas Julien Sabirnou1971FilmAlice und Ellenas Self1971TVSamedi soiras Self1970FilmThe Crookas Self1969TVTV Intimas Self1968TVFrost on Sundayas Self – Guest1968FilmSpécial Bardotas Self1968TVStarparadeas Self1968TVCillaas Self1965TVMeine Melodieas Self1965FilmThe Real Bargainas Self (uncredited)1965TVDim Dam Domas Self1965FilmShow - Charme - Chansonsas Self1964FilmHappy End!1964TVDie Drehscheibeas Self1964FilmHow to Make a French Dishas Roger1963FilmSing, aber spiel nicht mit miras Self1962FilmWe Will Go to Deauvilleas Self1962TVLieben Sie Show ?as Self1961TVMusik aus Studio Bas Self1961TVTreffpunkt Telebaras Self1960FilmZazie dans le Métroas Cameo Appearance (uncredited)1960FilmThe Delinquentsas Bernard1959TVDiscoramaas Self1953FilmFemmes de Parisas Self (uncredited)1952TVThe Liberace Show1948TVThe Ed Sullivan Showas Self