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# Sad Sunday: Daniel Beretta, the Legendary Voice of Cinema, Dies at 77
Some losses in cinema are felt not only because of the faces we remember, but because of the voices that became part of our memories. On March 23, 2024, the French entertainment world lost one of those unforgettable voices: actor, singer, composer and dubbing artist **Daniel Beretta**, who died in Ajaccio at the age of 77. Ministère de la Culture+1
For millions of French-speaking moviegoers, Beretta was much more than a performer working behind the scenes. His voice became closely associated with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars and most recognizable characters. Above all, he was known as the French voice of **Arnold Schwarzenegger**, a partnership that lasted for decades and helped define how generations of French audiences experienced the actor’s films. TF1 Info+1
His passing represents the end of an extraordinary artistic journey—one that began in music and theater before taking him into cinema, animation, television, radio and video games.
## A Career That Began With Music
Daniel Beretta was born on December 24, 1946, in Audincourt in eastern France. Long before audiences recognized his voice coming from the mouths of Hollywood stars, he was pursuing a career in music.
According to France’s Ministry of Culture, Beretta trained as a musician and began performing in a duo with Richard de Bordeaux. He subsequently worked with a number of prominent artists, including Nino Ferrer and composer Ennio Morricone. His early career demonstrated that his talents extended well beyond acting or dubbing. Ministère de la Culture
He eventually moved into theater and musical theater, gaining attention through productions that showcased both his acting and singing abilities.
One particularly important role came in the French adaptation of **Jesus Christ Superstar** in 1972, when Beretta played the title character. His involvement with the production would have a lasting impact on his career because it eventually opened the door to film dubbing. Ministère de la Culture+1
This was an important turning point. Beretta had discovered an artistic field in which his musicality, acting ability and distinctive voice could come together.
## Becoming the French Voice of Arnold Schwarzenegger
For many people, Daniel Beretta’s name will forever be connected with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Beginning in 1988, Beretta became Schwarzenegger’s regular French voice. The Ministry of Culture notes that the connection began with **Double Détente** and continued through major films including **Total Recall** and the _Terminator_ series. He continued to provide Schwarzenegger’s French voice for decades. Ministère de la Culture