French Cinema Icon Alain Delon Has Passed Away At 88 Years Old.

Published on 19 August 2024, by Marine Beaumont |Paris, France. 

The actor, a star of the golden age of French cinema, was celebrated for his tough-guy image in classic films such as "The Samurai" and "Borsalino." In recent years, Delon's health had declined, and he had withdrawn from public life. His family's turmoil had also been making news in France. Brigitte Bardot led the tributes in France, expressing that Delon's death left a "huge void that nothing and no one can fill."

Often referred to as the most handsome man in cinema, Delon captivated audiences with his performances in 1960s hits like "The Leopard" and "Rocco and His Brothers." He won the hearts of fans regardless of his role, whether playing a murderer or a charismatic conman. Starting in the 1990s, his film appearances became less frequent, yet he remained a constant in celebrity news columns. In total, Delon appeared in nearly 90 films throughout his career. French President Emmanuel Macron was among those who paid tribute to Delon on Sunday, stating that the actor “played legendary roles and made the world dream.” In a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, Macron added: "Melancholy, popular, secretive, he was more than a star: he was a French monument."

His family issued a statement saying: "Alain Fabien, Anouchka, Anthony, as well as (his dog) Loubo, are deeply saddened to announce the passing of their father. "He died peacefully at his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and family." Le Parisien newspaper referred to Delon as “a legend of the cinema,” while Liberation called him “a leading figure of cinema, a symbol of enigmatic masculinity, the actor with extraordinary charisma.” In a statement to AFP, Brigitte Bardot remarked that Delon "represented the best of France's 'prestige cinema.'" "An ambassador of elegance, talent, and beauty. I lose a friend, an alter ego, a partner." Delon's final major public appearance was at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2019, where he received an honorary Palme d'Or. During the event, he gave an emotional speech that seemed to be a farewell to cinema. "It's a bit of a posthumous tribute, but during my lifetime," he said. "I am going to leave, but I won't leave without thanking you." Former Cannes Festival President Gilles Jacob described Delon as "a lion... an actor with a steely gaze," while Venice Film Festival Director Alberto Barbera called him an "icon" who had ascended "to the Olympus of the immortals."

A Parisian fan reacting to news of his death told Reuters News Agency: "I thought he could never die." For decades, the French public had closely followed the ups and downs of Delon’s illustrious career and equally colorful love life through publications like Paris-Match and other magazines. His vibrant personal life frequently made headlines as he charmed and seduced his way across Europe at the height of his fame. However, he also faced criticism. Some took issue with his support for Jean-Marie Le Pen, the far-right National Front leader who advocated for the death penalty and opposed same-sex marriage. His relationships with women also sparked controversy and led to accusations of misogyny.

More recently, the turmoil within his family had been making headlines in France. The actor had three children—two sons and a daughter—by two different women, and a third son who was unacknowledged and is now deceased. In recent years, his surviving children have been airing their grievances publicly, with a series of insults, accusations, lawsuits, and secret recordings. This included disputes over his medical care following his stroke in 2019. Another conflict involved Hiromi Rollin, Delon's former housekeeper. Delon’s children removed her from his home last year, but she subsequently filed a lawsuit against them, accusing them of endangering Delon's life by denying him medication.

In April this year, a judge placed Delon under "reinforced curatorship," limiting his ability to manage his assets independently. Delon also made headlines in February when French police seized 72 firearms and 3,000 rounds of ammunition from his home. Prosecutors stated that he did not have a gun license. A shooting range was also discovered at his Douchy-Montcorbon mansion. BBC News has reached out to Delon’s representatives.