In 1979, he rose to worldwide fame with his writing of the comedy musical Émilie Jolie.

[citation needed] In 2016, Chatel released an album titled Renaissance, in which he expressed hope and friendship.

[5][6] In 2006, Chatel was involved in a serious accident while on a quad bike near Aix-en-Provence and spent three months in a coma.

He spent some time in a wheelchair and rehabilitation, and was slightly paralyzed in his jaw for life.

[7][8] Chatel died of a heart attack on 19 February 2021 in Paris, four days shy of his 73rd birthday.