Olivier Despax

Olivier Despax born Olivier Despax de Kerver 28 February 1939 died 10 April 1974 was a French guitarist, singer and film actor.[1]

Olivier Despax
Born28 February 1939
Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, France
Died10 April 1974
Villejuif, Val-de-Marne, France
Other namesOlivier Despax de Kerver
OccupationActor, singer

Biography

The grandnephew of composer Florent Schmitt and the son of Comte Joel de Kerver, Despax began piano lessons at age four and was given a guitar by his parents on his twelfth birthday.[2] He was awarded the Best Jazz Guitarist award in 1955 from the Salon de la Jeunesse du Grand Palais when he was 16 years old.[3]

After military service in the Algerian War he formed a rock group called Olivier Despax and the Gamblers and was signed by Barclay Records.

During a gig at Saint-Tropez, he met Brigitte Bardot who he taught how to play the guitar. The two appeared together on French television in 1963 singing a duet.[4] The publicity led to a film career in France beginning in 1964 with Mort, où est ta victoire?. He made his English language debut in Dark of the Sun (1968).

Despax was diagnosed with leukemia in 1969 and died in 1974.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1964Mort, où est ta victoire?René
1964Les Amoureux du FranceOlivier Dorante
1964The Monocle LaughsFrédéric
1966A nous deux, Paris!Michel Lamballe
1966Et la femme créa l'amourLaurent Ferrère
1968Dark of the SunLt. Surrier
1968Cover GirlPaul
1976El avispero(final film role)

References
  1. Goble p.402
  2. Badrot's "Find"New Movie Star Dark of the Sun Exhibitor's Campaign Book from MGM 1968
  3. https://florentschmitt.com/2015/12/24/olivier-despax-grand-nephew-of-composer-florent-schmitt-french-heart-throb-singer-and-actor-of-the-1960s/
  4. Les amoureux du France

Bibliography
  • Goble, Alan. The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film. Walter de Gruyter, 1999.


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