Sacha Distel
Known for Acting · 70 credits
- Born
- 1933-01-29
- Died
- 2004-07-22
- Place of birth
- Paris, France
- Also known as
- Sacha Distel et ses Collégiens · Sascha Distel · Sasha 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."
Known For
TV Shows (47)
Champs-Elysées
1982
as Self
Vivement dimanche
1998
as Self
Die Drehscheibe
1964
as Self
Midi Première
1975
as Self
Sacrée soirée
1987
as Self / Self (archive footage)
Absolutely Fabulous
1992
as Self
The Ed Sullivan Show
1948
as Self
Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
1975
as Self
Le monde est à vous
1987
as Self
Numéro un
1975
as Self / Self - Host
Le Grand Échiquier
1972
as Self
Midi trente
1972
as Self
Fan School
1977
as Self
Parkinson
1998
as Self
Discorama
1959
as Self
Samedi soir
1971
as Self
La Chance aux chansons
1984
as Self
Star Academy
2001
as Self
Musik aus Studio B
1961
as Self
Téléthon
1987
as Self
30 millions d'amis
1976
as Self
Stars 90
1990
as Self
Système 2
1975
as Self
Surprise, Surprise
1984
as Self
Dim Dam Dom
1965
as Self
Il était une fois Champs-Élysées
2022
as Self (archive footage)
Starparade
1968
as Self
Cilla
1968
as Self
Cadet Rousselle
1971
as Self
Musik ist Trumpf
1975
as Self
Russell Harty
1980
Fantasy World Cup
1998
as Self
Matin Bonheur
1987
as Self
Three of a Kind
1981
as Self
The Mrs Merton Show
1995
as Self
Meine Melodie
1965
as Self
40° à l'ombre
1987
as Self
The Liberace Show
1952
Treffpunkt Telebar
1961
as Self
Wie wär’s heut’ mit Revue?
1983
as Self
Frost on Sunday
1968
as Self – Guest
Hätten Sie heut’ Zeit für mich?
1972
as Self
TV Intim
1969
as Self
Anneliese Rothenberger gibt sich die Ehre
1971
as Self
Lieben Sie Show ?
1962
as Self
Chanter la vie
2001
as Self
Frou-Frou
1992
as Self - Guest
Movies (23)
La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président
2022
as Self (archive footage)
The Crook
1970
as Self
Zazie dans le Métro
1960
as Cameo Appearance (uncredited)
Without Apparent Motive
1971
as Julien Sabirnou
L'Âge d'or de la pub
2023
as Self (archive footage)
We Will Go to Deauville
1962
as Self
A Night at the Opera
2020
Sheila, toutes ces vies-là
2022
as Self (archive footage)
Brigitte Bardot : Divine B.B.
2004
How to Make a French Dish
1964
as Roger
Fallen Angels
1974
as Maurice Duclos
Show Bardot
1968
as Self
A Song for Eurotrash
1998
as Self - Special Guest
Elis & Tom: It Had to be You
2023
as Self (archive footage)
Sing, aber spiel nicht mit mir
1963
as Self
The Delinquents
1960
as Bernard
Numéro un - Demis Roussos
2020
as Self
Femmes de Paris
1953
as Self (uncredited)
The Real Bargain
1965
as Self (uncredited)
Happy End!
1964
Show - Charme - Chansons
1965
as Self
Drôle de Noël pour Jérémy
1995
as Self
Alice und Ellen
1971
as Self
About Sacha Distel
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 Russ… With 70 credits spanning from 1948 to 2023, Sacha Distel has appeared in 23 films and 47 TV shows.
Fans searching for Sacha Distel movies, Sacha Distel filmography, or the latest projects starring Sacha Distel can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Sacha Distel Movies
- La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président (2022) — as Self (archive footage)
- The Crook (1970) — as Self
- Zazie dans le Métro (1960) — as Cameo Appearance (uncredited)
- Without Apparent Motive (1971) — as Julien Sabirnou
- L'Âge d'or de la pub (2023) — as Self (archive footage)
Where to Watch Sacha Distel Films
Most Sacha Distel movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Sacha Distel, check our movies catalogue and browse page.