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Jacques Romain Georges Brel (Schaarbeek, 8 april 1929 – Bobigny, 9 oktober 1978) was een Belgische zanger, componist en tekstschrijver die begin jaren zestig uitgroeide tot een internationale beroemdheid. Na zijn afscheid van het podium in 1967 was hij enige tijd actief als filmacteur en regisseur. Tijdens het belangrijkste deel van zijn carrière werkte hij intensief samen met de componisten François Rauber en Gérard Jouannest. De in Brussel wonende Brel beschouwde zichzelf als Franstalige Vlaming.

Jacques Romain Georges Brel (French: [ʒɑk ʁɔmɛ̃ ʒɔʁʒ bʁɛl] ; 8 April 1929 – 9 October 1978) was a Belgian singer and actor who composed and performed theatrical songs. He generated a large, devoted following—initially in Belgium and France, but later throughout the world. He is considered a master of the modern chanson.

Although he recorded most of his songs in French and occasionally in Dutch, he became an influence on English-speaking songwriters and performers, such as Scott Walker, David Bowie, Brett Anderson, Alex Harvey, Marc Almond, Neil Hannon, and Rod McKuen. English translations of his songs were recorded by many performers, including Bowie, Walker, Anderson, Ray Charles, Judy Collins, John Denver, The Kingston Trio, Nina Simone, Shirley Bassey, James Dean Bradfield, Frank Sinatra, and Andy Williams.

Brel was a successful actor, appearing in 10 films. He directed two films, one of which, Le Far West, was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1973. Having sold over 25 million records worldwide, Brel is the third-best-selling Belgian recording artist of all time. Brel married Thérèse "Miche" Michielsen in 1950, and the couple had three children. He also had a romantic relationship with actress and dancer Maddly Bamy from 1972 until his death in 1978.