Jacques Lévy (1935) song writer, director, actor
New York born Jacques Lévy is best known for the lyrics he wrote for famous artists. Together with Bob Dylan he created the album Desire. His name can be found on six The Byrds albums, in cooperation with Roger McGuinn, for whose solo work he also wrote songs, including the hit Chestnut Mare. Carly Simon, Crystal Gayle, Joe Cocker, Jerry Lee Lewis and the classical soprano Jan DeGeatan also recorded his song texts.
Lévy wrote the lyrics to five musicals, including Fame, The Golden Land and Oh! Calcutta!. The bearded man with French ancestors was also director to the movie version of the latter and to Doonesbury: A Broadway Musical. He received three Grammy Awards for his work.
In daily life Jacques Lévy is head of the theatre faculty of Colgate University, Hamilton, NY. He is member of the Dramatic Guild. As an actor he played in one (French) movie: L'Albatros (1971).