The French film industry’s golden age featured the actor, who gained fame for his rugged on-screen persona in popular films such as Borsalino and The Samurai.
Delon has become a virtual recluse due to his poor health in recent years. His family’s disintegration had been in the news in France more recently.
A “huge void that nothing and no-one will be able to fill” was left by Delon’s passing, according to Brigitte Bardot, who led the tributes in France.
Delon, who starred in popular 1960s films such as The Leopard and Rocco and his Brothers, was once referred to as the most beautiful man in cinema history.
Whether he was portraying a murderer or a charming con artist, he always won over the hearts of his audience.
His movie roles became fewer starting in the 1990s, but he continued to be mentioned frequently in the tabloids.
In total, made almost 90 films during the course of 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.””Alain Fabien, Anouchka, Anthony, and (his dog) Loubo are deeply saddened to announce the passing of their father,” his family said in a statement.He died quietly in his Douchy home, surrounded by his family and his three children.”
Liberation described Delon as “a leading figure of cinema, symbol of shadowy masculinity, the actor with crazy charisma,” while Le Parisien called him “a legend of the cinema.”
Brigitte Bardot said that Delon “represented the best of France’s ‘prestige cinema'” in a statement to the AFP.
“An ambassador of elegance, talent, beauty. I lose a friend, an alter ego, a partner.” Delon’s final significant public appearance was to accept an honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes film festival in May 2019. During the ceremony, he gave a moving speech that seemed to bid adieu to the film industry. “It’s a bit of a posthumous tribute, but from my lifetime,” he had said. “I am going to leave, but I won’t leave without thank you.” Former Cannes festival president Gilles Jacob called Delon “a lion… an actor with a steely gaze,” while Alberto Barbera, director of the Venice film festival, called him a “icon” who had ascended “to the Olympus of the immortals.”
In response to hearing of his passing, a Parisian admirer told Reuters News Agency, “I thought he could never die.”
Through Paris-Match and other magazines, the French public has been following the highs and lows of actor Alain Delon’s prodigious career and love life for decades.
At the height of his popularity, he charmed and seduced his way around Europe, and his colorful personal life frequently made the front pages.
However, he was also criticized. His endorsement of Jean-Marie Le Pen, the far-right National Front leader who supported the death penalty and opposed same-sex marriage, drew criticism from some.His interactions with women sparked debate and accusations of misogyny.
Saddening conclusion with movie legend Delon’s family split apart
During the 1960s, Alain Delon was one of the biggest stars in French cinema.
His family’s disintegration had been in the news in France more recently.
The actor was married to two different women and had three children—two sons and a daughter—as well as an unidentified third son who passed away.
Through a series of insults, charges, lawsuits, and covert recordings, his surviving children have been airing their mutual grievances in front of the media in recent years.
Spirits of the Dead filming features Brigitte Bardot on the left and Alain Delon on the right.
Conflicts arose regarding his medical care after he suffered a stroke in 2019.
Hiromi Rollin, Delon’s former housekeeper, was involved in another argument.
She was kicked out by Delon’s kids last year, but she later sued them for putting Delon’s life in danger by not giving him his medication.
At the 2019 72nd Annual Cannes Film Festival, Alain Delon
Delon was placed under “reinforced curatorship” in April of this year by a judge, which meant he was no longer completely free to manage his assets.
In February of this year, Delon also made headlines when 3,000 rounds of ammunition and 72 firearms were taken from his home by French police. According to the prosecution, he lacked a gun license.
His Douchy-Montcorbon estate also had a shooting range.
BBC News has reached out to Delon’s agents.
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