Paris, 19 August 2024 (TDI): French legendry film actor Alain Delon has died at the age of 88.
The actor was a star of the golden era of French cinema, famous for his tough-guy persona on screen in hits including Borsalino and The Samurai.
He had been in poor health in recent years and become a virtual recluse. More recently, his family breakdown had been making headlines in France.
Brigitte Bardot led tributes in the country saying Delon’s death left a “huge void that nothing and no-one will be able to fill”.
Once described as the most beautiful man in the films, Delon starred in hits from the 1960s including Rocco and his Brothers, and The Leopard.
He stole the hearts of fans whatever role he was playing, from a killer to a charismatic conman.
From the 1990s, his movie appearances grew rare, but he remained a fixture in the celebrity columns.
In total, he acted in almost ninety movies during the course of his career.
French President Emmanuel Macron was among those paying tribute to the legend on Sunday, saying Delon played popular roles and made the world dream”.
In a statement on X, he said that popular, melancholy, and secretive, he was more than a star: he was a French monument.
A statement from his family said: Anouchka, Alain Fabien, Anthony, as well as (his dog) Loubo, are deeply saddened to announce the death of their father.
He died peacefully in his home in Douchy, surrounded by his 3 children and his family, the statement said.
Le Parisian newspaper described him “a legend of the cinema”, while Liberation called him as a leading figure of cinema, the actor with crazy charisma, and a symbol of shadowy masculinity.
Actor’s Last Major Appearance
The legend’s last major public appearance was to receive an honorary Palme d’or at the Cannes film festival in May 2019.
At the ceremony, he made an emotional speech in which he appeared to bid farewell to cinema.
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“It is a bit of a posthumous tribute, but from my lifetime, Delon had said. “I am going to leave, but I would not leave without thanking you.”
Former president of the Cannes festival, Gilles Jacob, called Delon as a lion, an actor with a steely gaze, while Alberto Barbera, director of the Venice film festival, said Delon was an “icon” who had climbed “to the Olympus of the immortals”.
