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Johnny Hallyday

Johnny Hallyday

Actor · Died December 5, 2017, aged 74 · Paris, France

Jean-Philippe Léo Smet (15 June 1943 – 5 December 2017), better known by his stage name Johnny Hallyday, was a French rock and roll and pop singer and actor, credited with having brought rock and roll to France. During a career spanning 57 years, Hallyday released 79 albums and sold more than 110 million records worldwide, mainly in the French-speaking world, making him one of the best-selling artists in the world. He had five diamond albums, 40 gold albums, 22 platinum albums and earned ten Victoires de la Musique. He sang an estimated 1,154 songs and performed 540 duets with 187 artists. Credited for his strong voice and his spectacular shows, he sometimes arrived by entering a stadium through the crowd and once by jumping from a helicopter above the Stade de France, where he performed nine times. Among his 3,257 shows completed in 187 tours, the most memorable were at Parc des Princes in 1993, at the Stade de France in 1998, just after France's win in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, as well as at the Eiffel Tower in 2000, which had record-breaking ticket sales for a French artist. A million spectators gathered to see his performance at the Eiffel Tower, with some 10 million watching on television. Usually working with the best French artists and musicians of his time, Hallyday collaborated with Charles Aznavour, Michel Berger and Jean-Jacques Goldman. Hugely popular in France, he was referred to as simply "Johnny" and seen as a "national monument" and a part of the French cultural legacy. He became a symbol of the Trente Glorieuses, France's prosperous postwar era, after he emerged in 1960, and was a familiar figure to four generations. More than 2,500 magazine covers and 190 books were dedicated to him during his lifetime, making him one of the people most widely covered by the media in France. His death from cancer in 2017 was followed by a "people's tribute", during which a million people attended the funeral procession in Paris and 15 million others watched the ceremony on TV. Hallyday remained relatively unknown outside the French-speaking world, where he was dubbed "the biggest rock star you've never heard of" and introduced as the French version of Elvis Presley. Jean-Philippe Smet was born in the 9th arrondissement of Paris on 15 June 1943 to a Belgian father, Léon Smet, and a French mother, Huguette Eugénie Pierrette Clerc. Léon Smet, who worked as a nightclub performer, left his wife and son a few months later. Clerc started a modeling career, which left her with little time to care for her son. Hallyday grew up with his aunt, Hélène Mar, and took his stage name from a cousin-in-law from Oklahoma (Lemoine Ketcham) who performed as Lee Halliday. The latter called Smet "Johnny" and became a father figure, introducing him to American music. ... Source: Article "Johnny Hallyday" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 15, 1943
Died
December 5, 2017 (aged 74)
From
Paris, France
Works as
Actor
Titles
21 on MovieCove · 56 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 38% in 30 days

What are Johnny Hallyday's films like?

Across their 14 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
23%
Morality
23%
Self
21%
Power
12%
Survival
11%
Society
6%
Ideas
3%
Identity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 8 · Serious 2 · Dark 4

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 6 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 5 · Charged 6 · Intense 3

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 5 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 4

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 4 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 0

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 7 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 4 of 7 analyzed roles.

Hero
4 of 7
Shapeshifter
2 of 7
Ally
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
6
Melancholic
7
Contemplative
5
Absurd
5
Warm
3
Other
10

How their films linger

Fun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet5
  • Ambiguous5

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Johnny Hallyday's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 11 of their 21 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (8).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Johnny Hallyday's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

56 credits, 21 with a MovieCove page; 109 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Le Figaro La Nuit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • A Sunburnt Christmas(2020)

    as Worker #2

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Family Is Family(2018)

    In Memory Of

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Everyone's Life(2017)

    as Johnny

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Rock'n Roll(2017)

    as Johnny Hallyday

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Les Enfoirés - Les Enfoirés en chœur de 1985 à aujourd'hui (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • Salaud, on t'aime.(2014)

    as Jacques Kaminsky

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Johnny Hallyday en direct de Bercy, La Soirée Anniversaire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Co-Producer · as Self

  • Titeuf: The Movie(2011)

    as Le chanteur du train (voice)

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Vengeance(2009)

    as Francis Costello

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Pink Panther 2(2009)

    as Milliken

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Jean-Philippe(2006)

    as Jean-Philippe Smet / Self

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Les Enfoirés, 15 ans d'Enfoirés (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • Kidnapping (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as William Terrano

  • Quartier V.I.P. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Alex

  • L'homme qui voulait passer à la télé (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Le Docteur

  • Crimson Rivers 2: Angels of the Apocalypse(2004)

    as L'ermite

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Crime Spree(2003)

    as Marcel Burot

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Nugget (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Stunt Coordinator · as Ratner Precision Driving Double

  • Man on the Train(2002)

    as Milan

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Mischka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Johnny Hallyday (uncredited)

  • Love Me(2000)

    as Lennox

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Why Not Me? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as José

  • Paparazzi(1998)

    as Johnny Hallyday

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Les Enfoirés 1998 - Enfoirés en cœur (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • Les Enfoirés 1997 - Le Zénith des Enfoirés (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • Johnny Hallyday : Parc des Princes 93 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Producer · as Self

  • La Gamine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Frank Matrix

  • Les Enfoirés 1989 - Tournée d'Enfoirés (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • David Lansky (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 4 episodes · as David Lansky, commissaire

  • The Iron Triangle(1989)

    as Jacques

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Danger Down Under (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Leo

  • Terminus(1987)

    as Stump

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Playing Beatie Bow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Ben

  • Family Business (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Louis, the Father

  • Johhny hallyday Fête de l'Huma 85 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Johnny Hallyday

  • Detective(1985)

    as Jim Fox Warner

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Outward Signs of Wealth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Composer

  • Le jour se lève et les conneries commencent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as L'accidenté à répétition

  • Animal(1977)

    as La vedette masculine

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Police Commissioner Moulin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as William Terrano

  • Visa de censure n° X (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as (archive footage) (uncredited)

  • Malpertuis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Sailor who kisses Bets (uncredited)

  • Money Money Money(1972)

    as Johnny Hallyday

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Falling Point (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Vlad, dit 'Le Roumain'

  • The Specialists(1969)

    as Hud

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • The Great Chase (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Frankie

  • The Aeronauts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 13 episodes · Songs

  • The Ponies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Johnny Hallyday

  • Un roi triste (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Johnny Hallyday

  • Cherchez l'idole (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Johnny Hallyday

  • Un coup dans l'aile (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Johnny Hallyday

  • Where Are You From, Johnny? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Johnny

  • Tales of Paris (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Jean Allard (segment "Sophie")

  • Secret File 1413 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Johnny Hallyday

  • Diabolique(1955)

    as Student (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 56 titles from 1955 to 2022; peak year 2010.

Biggest box office

Crimson Rivers 2: Angels of the Apocalypse (2004)

$40M worldwide

Highest rated

Man on the Train (2002)

Midcredits 83rd

Most popular right now

Crimson Rivers 2: Angels of the Apocalypse (2004)

Film career

19552022

Peak 2010 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 3 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1955Screen debut· Diabolique
  • 1969First top-billed film· The Specialists
  • 2009Career best· Vengeance

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting51 of 56: 50 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score43rdProducing2 of 56: 2 only producing, 0 with another roleMusic1 of 56: 1 only music, 0 with another roleOther crew3 of 56: 2 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1950s1 · acting1960s10 · 9 acting · 1 crew1970s6 · acting1980s11 · 10 acting · 1 crew1990s6 · 5 acting · 1 crew2000s13 · 13 acting · 1 crew2010s7 · 5 acting · 2 crew2020s2 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 29% of 17 roles
5500

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Johnny Hallyday's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 38th percentile, the median of all 21; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 40th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

40thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

38thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

76thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 21 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up3
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

6 of their 21 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser6
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · actor

Love Me (2000)

75th percentile spread · 32% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Diabolique (1955)

Midcredits 98th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 64/100 in their films, across 11 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 34. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Johnny Hallyday work with?

People who share at least 2 of Johnny Hallyday's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Claude Lelouch shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers

Producers