French Movie Star, Alain Delon Dies Aged 88

Alain Deon, a French film legend has passed away at the age of 88.

The actor was a star of the golden era of French cinema, known for his tough-guy persona on screen in hits including The Samurai and Borsalino.

Delon had been in poor health in recent years and had become a virtual recluse. More recently, the breakdown of his family had made headlines in France.

Brigitte Bardot led tributes in France 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 movies, Delon starred in hits from the 1960s including The Leopard and Rocco and his Brothers.

He stole the hearts of fans whatever role he was playing, from a murderer to a charismatic conman.

From the 1990s, his film appearances grew rare, but he remained a fixture in the celebrity columns.

In total, he made almost 90 films during his career.

French President Emmanuel Macron was among those paying tribute to Delon on Sunday, saying the actor “played legendary roles and made the world dream”.

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, he added: “Melancholy, popular, secretive, he was more than a star: he was a French monument.”

A statement from his family said: “Alain Fabien, Anouchka, Anthony, as well as (his dog) Loubo, are deeply saddened to announce the passing of their father.

“He died peacefully in his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and his family.”

Le Parisian newspaper called Delon “a legend of the cinema”, while Liberation described him as “a leading figure of cinema, symbol of shadowy masculinity, the actor with crazy charisma”.

In a statement to the AFP news agency, Brigitte Bardot said Delon “represented the best of France’s ‘prestige cinema'”.

“An ambassador of elegance, talent, beauty. I lose a friend, an alter ego, a partner.”

Delon’s last major public appearance was to receive an honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2019.

At the event, he made an emotional speech in which he appeared to bid farewell to cinema.

“It’s a bit of a posthumous tribute, but from my lifetime,” he said. “I am going to leave, but I won’t leave without thanking you.”

Former president of the Cannes festival, Gilles Jacob, described Delon as “a lion… an actor with a steely gaze”, while Alberto Barbera, director of the Venice film festival, said he was an “icon” who had climbed “to the Olympus of the immortals”.