Enrico Macias
Known for Acting · 56 credits
- Born
- 1938-12-11 (age 87)
- Place of birth
- Constantine, France [now Algeria]
- Also known as
- Gaston Ghrenassia
Biography
Gaston Ghrenassia (born 11 December 1938), known by his stage name Enrico Macias, is a French singer, songwriter and musician.
Gaston Ghrenassia was born to a Sephardic Jewish family. His father, Sylvain Ghrenassia (1914–2004), was a violinist in an orchestra that played primarily malouf, Andalusian classical music. Gaston played the guitar from childhood, and started playing with the Cheikh Raymond Leyris Orchestra at age 15.
He pursued a school teacher career, but continued playing the guitar. In 1961, the Algerian War of Independence was raging, and the situation became untenable for the European colonizers of Constantine. The assassination in 1961 of his father-in-law and musician Cheikh Raymond Leyris by the National Liberation Front (FLN) was of immense effect on Gaston Ghrenassia, and appears to have been due to his opposition to the independence of Algeria from France and pro-Israel stance. Gaston left Algeria with his wife, Suzy, on 29 July 1961, eleven months before the end of the Algerian War of Independence, and went into exile in mainland France. He has not been permitted to return to Algeria ever since.
First living in Argenteuil, he eventually moved to Paris, where he decided to pursue a career in music. At first he tried translating into French the malouf numbers which he already knew. Later on, he developed a new French repertoire that he performed in cafés and cabarets. He remained, though, a popular interpreter of Arab-Andalusian music and Judeo-Arab songs in France.
He adopted the stage name Enrico Macias and made his first recording in 1962 after a meeting with Raymond Bernard of Pathé. The result was the recording of "Adieu mon pays" which he had composed for his beloved Algeria on the ship on his way to France. He appeared on French television and became an overnight sensation. This led to a first tour in 1963 as a second act with Paola and Billy Bridge. His daughter, Jocya, was also born that year.
Known For
TV Shows (36)
Champs-Elysées
1982
as Self
Vivement dimanche
1998
as Self
Midi Première
1975
as Self
Sacrée soirée
1987
as Self
Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
1975
as Self
Fort Boyard
1990
as Self
Numéro un
1975
as Self / Self - Host
Le monde est à vous
1987
as Self
Le Grand Échiquier
1972
as Self - Main Guest
Midi trente
1972
as Self
Fan School
1977
as Self
Zone interdite
1993
as Self
La Chance aux chansons
1984
as Self
Star Academy
2001
as Self
Victoires de la musique
1985
as Self
Samedi soir
1971
as Self
30 millions d'amis
1976
as Self
Coucou c'est nous !
1992
as Self
Stars 90
1990
as Self
Système 2
1975
as Self
Quelle époque !
2022
as Self - Guest
À bout portant
1968
as Self
Il était une fois Champs-Élysées
2022
as Self (archive footage)
Les Nuls, l'émission
1990
as Self - Guest
Amanda
2016
as Self
Cadet Rousselle
1971
as Self
Fort Boyard, toujours plus fort !
2018
as Self - Candidate (archive footage)
Rembob'Ina
2018
as Self (auteur, compositeur, interprète)
Family Business
2019
as Self / Enrico Macias
Europarty
1967
as Self
La Boîte à secrets
2019
as Self
Samedi Sébastien
2021
as Self - Guest
Le Petit Rapporteur
1975
as Self
Stars à domicile
2001
as Self
The Nursing Home, the TV series
2026
as Rico
Les Petits Papiers de Noël
1975
Movies (20)
La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président
2022
as Self (archive footage)
Coco
2009
as Le tailleur
Serge Lama, le dernier rappel
2025
as Self
The Car Keys
2003
as Actor who refuses to film with Laurent
Would I Lie to You? 3
2012
as Maurice
Oldies But Goodies
2024
as Rico
Would I Lie to You? 2
2001
as Maurice Boutboul
Welcome Aboard
2011
as Self
Déclic et des claques
1965
as Self
Une journée avec Jacques Brel
2023
as Self
Ces chansons de nos vacances
2022
as Self
Jacques Martin, derrière vos applaudissements
2021
as Self - Interviewee
Pleasure Mafia
1971
as Self (uncredited)
Laurent Gerra, l'anniversaire-événement
2025
as Self
Les Interdits des Grosses Têtes
1997
as Self
Enrico Macias, l'inattendu
2021
as Self (archive footage)
Pour ton mariage
2023
as Self
Enrico Macias, de l'amour plein la tête
2022
as Self
PSG : Ce club qui a failli ne pas exister !
2017
as Self
Carlos Numéro 1
1979
as Self
About Enrico Macias
Gaston Ghrenassia (born 11 December 1938), known by his stage name Enrico Macias, is a French singer, songwriter and musician. Gaston Ghrenassia was born to a Sephardic Jewish family. His father, Sylvain Ghrenassia (1914–2004), was a violinist in an orchestra that played primarily malouf, Andalusian classical music. Gaston played the guitar from childhood, and started playing with the Cheikh Raymond Leyris Orchestra at age 15. He pursued a school teacher career, but continued playing the guitar. In 1961, the Algerian War of Independence was ra… With 56 credits spanning from 1965 to 2026, Enrico Macias has appeared in 20 films and 36 TV shows.
Fans searching for Enrico Macias movies, Enrico Macias filmography, or the latest projects starring Enrico Macias can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Enrico Macias Movies
- La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président (2022) — as Self (archive footage)
- Coco (2009) — as Le tailleur
- Serge Lama, le dernier rappel (2025) — as Self
- The Car Keys (2003) — as Actor who refuses to film with Laurent
- Would I Lie to You? 3 (2012) — as Maurice
Where to Watch Enrico Macias Films
Most Enrico Macias 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 Enrico Macias, check our movies catalogue and browse page.