Bernard Brumberg " Serge Reggiani "

Serge Reggiani, born May 2, 1922 in Reggio Emilia (Italy) - died on July 23, 2004 (Paris), was an actor, singer, and a French singer of Italian origin.

Born into a poor family (his father was associated hairdresser, working mother) and anti-fascist, Serge Reggiani came to France at the age of eight years with his family, Yvetot in Normandy. It first follows the footsteps of his father as an apprentice hairdresser, then after reading an ad, part of the Academy of Cinematic Arts, in Paris, where the family moved since.

He received in 1938 the first prize for comedy in 1939 before enrolling at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Art.

He began his career as a stage actor in 1941 in The Werewolf of Vitrac. He then interprets Britannicus with Jean Marais and plays in Les Parents terribles Jean Cocteau.

He worked with some talented composer to become famous: Peter Weaver, Serge Bourgeois, Albert Vidal  Georges Moustaki and Jean-Loup Dabadie (he will meet again on the set of Vincent, Francois, Paul and the other with Yves Montand in 1974 ) or Maxime Le Forestier and Serge Gainsbourg in the 1970s. His son Stephan and his wife, Annie Christmas, also will write for him.

Claude Lemesle appears in the 1980s, he wrote many texts (Venice is not Italy, The Blow, Le Barbier de Belleville) and the artistic director of the latest albums.

Young lyricists such Sizaire Philippe, Jacques Roure Marilena Orlando or it will write texts in the 1990s. He will also sing the words of Didier Barbelivien. Michel Legrand and Alain Goraguer particular, he will compose music.

In 1973, his wife Annie Christmas away. In the late 1970s, he performed on stage with his son Stephan, and then with his daughter Carine. An album is released, criticism is not tender.

Noëlle Adam then shares his life.

In 1980, at age 35, his son Stephan ends his days in the house of Mougins, where he is with his wife and grandmother.

During the 1990s, he took a liking to life and performs on many stages: the Palace of Congresses, the Francofolies, Olympia. He released an album a year, 70 brooms, then one every two years. He exercises his talents as a painter and exhibited his works.

It is in 1991 the first role of power with others, the film of his son Simon, who became director.

It occurs in Reggio Emilia, his hometown, then again in Paris in the late 1990s.

In 2002, the year of its 80 years, many personalities pay tribute to him through an album called Around Serge Reggiani. The following year he received a Victoire d'honneur and the tie of Commander of the Order of Merit, awarded by Jacques Chirac. It still happens that year on many French and international scenes. He also continues to exhibit his paintings.

In 2004, he died of a heart attack at age 82.

(I was friends with Stephan Reggiani, liked to imitate his father singing "little boy" while strolling together in the streets of Geneva during a television program. Brumberg Bernard.)