The French actor Alain Delon has died at the age of 88.
The actor, known for his leading roles in films like Purple Noon and Le Samourai, died on Sunday, according to French media.
Family Confirm The News
A statement from Delon’s family reads, “Alain Fabien, Anouchka, Anthony, as well as [his dog] Loubo, are deeply saddened to announce the passing of their father.”
“He passed away peacefully in his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and his family.”
French President Pays Tribute
Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, paid tribute to the deceased actor, calling him a French “monument”
“Alain Delon played legendary roles and made the world dream. Lending his unforgettable face to turn our lives upside down,” Macron added on X/Twitter.
Delon’s Previous Poor Health
It was announced earlier this year that Delon had B-cell lymphoma.
The actor had previously suffered a stroke in 2019, sparking an outburst of concern and well wishes.
Family Feud
Delon’s ill health had sparked a family feud in the months before his passing.
In 2023, his three children filed a complaint against Delon’s live-in assistant Hiromi Rollin, accusing her of harassment and threatening behaviour.
Delon’s Last Public Appearance
Delon made his last public appearance in May 2019, before his stroke, at the Cannes Film Festival. Here he received an honorary Palme d’Or.
“It’s a bit of a posthumous tribute, but from my lifetime,” he said after receiving the award
An Actor Known For His Appearance
Delon was known for his good looks at the height of his fame in the 1960s and 70s.
As the silent killer in Le Samourai, he set the template for the trope of mysterious, unassuming hitman.
A Controversial Figure
In France, Delon was a controversial figure who supported the far-right politician Jean-Marie Le Pen.
He faced further backlash when his sons accused him of having committed domestic violence.
Tributes Still Roll In
Despite controversies, tributes still rolled in for Delon. Bridgitte Bardot said the actor’s death left “a huge void that nothing and no one will be able to fill”.
She added that he “represented the best of France’s ‘prestige cinema’. An ambassador of elegance, talent, beauty. I lose a friend, an alter ego, a partner”.
Social Media Reacts
Tributes poured in for Delon on Twitter/X. One user commented, “Alain Delon was one of the most gorgeous men put on film, but he also knew how to play into –– or against –– that beauty to dazzling, often melancholic effect.”
Another posted various pictures of Delon with cats, dogs and birds and wrote, “RIP to Alain Delon, who was a great actor, a stylish man, and a friend to animals.”
