As a teenager, Jacques Dutronc loved both rock music and American films. Montgomery Clift and Kim Novak were his favorite movie stars. Dutronc started as a guitarist in the small rock group El Toro et les Cyclones and they recorded two singles. In 1965, he was asked by the manager of Françoise Hardy to write a few songs for her so Dutronc composed "Le temps de l'amour" and "Va pas prendre un tambour." Having proven himself as a successful songwriter, Dutronc decided to pursue a solo career in 1966. With provocative songs that matched the rebellious spirit of the '60s, he quickly gained popularity in his native France. His 1968 song "Il est cinq heures Paris s'éveille" became an instant classic of French pop music. In 1973, Dutronc successfully ventured into acting -- unlike most popular musicians turned actors, Dutronc almost exclusively chose non-musical roles -- and displayed considerable dramatic skills in the films of such renowned directors as Jean-Luc Godard, Claude Lelouch, Maurice Pialat, and Andrzej Zulawski. In 1992, Dutronc received a Best Actor Cesar for his unusual portrayal of the title character in Van Gogh. He continues his musical career and remains one of the most popular performers in the French-speaking world.
by Yuri German
biography
