Alain Delon, the globally celebrated French actor known for effortlessly embodying both ruthless villains and charming law enforcers, has passed away at the age of 88, French media sources confirmed.
With his strikingly good looks and suave demeanor, Delon captivated audiences worldwide and carved a niche as one of France’s unforgettable leading men. His exceptional ability to blend toughness with a tender, vulnerable quality well into his later years ensured his enduring appeal. Delon was not merely confined to the silver screen; he also made a mark as a producer, theatre actor, and in his later years, a prominent face in television movies.
His children relayed the tragic news on Sunday via a statement to Agence France-Presse, adhering to common French customs. The announcement sparked an immediate flood of tributes on social media, prompting comprehensive coverage from leading French news outlets, reflecting on Delon’s extensive and illustrious career.
The versatile actor’s breakthrough came in 1960 with the film *Plein Soleil*, directed by René Clément. In it, Delon played a cunning murderer who adopts the identities of his victims, painting a complex portrait of malevolence. He continued to build his reputation with a range of Italian films, most notably with Luchino Visconti, in *Rocco and His Brothers*, where he played a self-sacrificing sibling devoted to helping his brother. This film clinched the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival, solidifying Delon’s international fame.
FILE – French actor Alain Delon is escorted by American actresses Jane Davenport, left, and Pamela Huntington after their arrival from New York at Orly airport in Paris on Aug.19, 1970. | Photo Credit: LAURENT REBOURS
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Alain Delon was a sought-after star for filmmakers from around the world. Luchino Visconti’s *Le Guepard* (*The Leopard*) featuring Delon won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1963. Other notable films included Clément’s *Is Paris Burning?*, with screenwriting contributions from Gore Vidal and Francis Ford Coppola, Jacques Deray’s *La Piscine* (*The Sinners*), and Joseph Losey’s *The Assassination of Trotsky* in 1972.
Delon’s foray into film production began in 1968, leading to the creation of 26 movies by 1990, demonstrating his relentless drive and self-assured persona. Echoing his on-screen charm, Delon once declared to Femme magazine in 1996, “I like to be loved the way I love myself!” His continued charisma maintained his audience’s adoration for decades, even amidst occasional controversies.
In 2010, Delon appeared in *Un mari de trop* (*One Husband Too Many*) and returned to the stage the following year in *An Ordinary Day*, alongside his daughter Anouchka. His stint as President of the Miss France jury was short-lived, ending in 2013 after he made statements that ignited debate over his views on women, LGBTQIA+ rights, and migrants. Despite these controversies, Delon was awarded a Palme d’Honneur at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, a decision that drew further scrutiny yet acknowledged his indelible impact on cinema.
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FILE- In this May 19, 2019 file photo, French actor Alain Delon poses for photographers at the photo call for his honorary Palme D’Or award at the 72nd international film festival, Cannes, southern France. | Photo Credit: ARTHUR MOLA
Born on November 8, 1935, in Sceaux, just south of Paris, Delon’s early life was marked by familial strife. After his parents separated when he was just four years old, Delon was placed with a foster family and later attended a Roman Catholic boarding school. At 17, he joined the navy, which led him to Indochina. Upon returning to France in 1956, he worked various odd jobs before finding his passion in acting.
Delon’s personal life was as dynamic as his professional one. He had a son, Anthony, in 1964 with his then-wife Nathalie Canovas, who starred alongside him in Jean-Pierre Melville’s *The Samurai* in 1967. He fathered two more children, Anouchka and Alain-Fabien, with later partner Rosalie van Breemen, with whom he collaborated on a song and video in 1987. Widely speculated to be the father of Ari Boulogne, the son of German model and singer Nico, Delon never publicly acknowledged paternity.
“I am very good at three things: my job, foolishness, and children,” Delon asserted in a 1995 interview with L’Express. Beyond acting, he delved into various ventures, from setting up a stable of trotting horses to developing colognes and fashion accessories. He was also an avid collector of paintings and sculptures.
Despite announcing his retirement in 1999, Delon continued to work in film and television. He notably featured in Bertrand Blier’s *Les Acteurs* (*The Actors*) that year and played roles in several TV police dramas. His final film appearance was in 2022, starring alongside Juliette Binoche in *The Empty House*, directed by Patrice Leconte.
FILE – French actor Alain Delon of France gets the attention of actress Angie Dickinson during a conversation at a cocktail party in Beverly Hills, Calif., on April 16, 1963. | Photo Credit: Harold Matosian
Always conscious of his physical appeal, Delon once remarked in 2002, “You’ll never see me old and ugly. I’ll leave before, or I’ll die,” a testament to his enduring vanity and self-perception. At a gala event at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, Delon reflected on his legacy, stating, “One thing I’m sure about is that if there’s something I’m proud of, really, the only thing, it’s my career.”
