From the BBC:
“French film giant Alain Delon dies aged 88”
French
film legend Alain Delon has died 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. "He passed away peacefully in his
home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and his family," a
statement released to AFP news agency said.
Delon
has been in poor health in recent years and become a virtual recluse. More
recently, the breakdown of his family had been making headlines in France. 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, 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."
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 passed away 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”. 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 had 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". One of his fans from Paris
reacting to news of his death, meanwhile, told Reuters News Agency: "I
thought he could never die."
For
decades, the French public have followed the ins and outs of Delon’s prolific
career and equally prolific love life, via Paris-Match and other magazines. His
colourful personal life regularly made the front pages as he charmed and
seduced his way around Europe at the height of his fame.
But
he also faced criticism. Some disapproved of his support for Jean-Marie Le Pen,
leader of the far-right National Front, who championed the death penalty and
opposed same-sex marriage. His relationship with women also caused controversy
and led to claims of misogyny.
More
recently, the breakdown of 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 unacknowledged and now dead. In recent years, his surviving
children have been laying bare their mutual grievances before the media in a
series of insults, accusations, lawsuits and secret recordings. It included
disagreements over his medical treatment, following his stroke in 2019. Another
row involved Hiromi Rollin, Delon's former housekeeper. Delon’s children
ejected her last year, but she subsequently filed a suit against them for
endangering Delon's life by refusing him medicines. In April this year, a judge
placed Delon under "reinforced curatorship", meaning he no longer had
full freedom to manage his assets. Delon also made headlines in February of
this year when French police seized 72 firearms and 3,000 rounds of ammunition
from his home. Prosecutors said he did not have a gun licence. A shooting range
was also found at his Douchy-Montcorbon mansion.
^
This is so sad. I had just rewatched “Is Paris Puring?” since the 80th
Anniversary of the Liberation of Paris is next week. ^
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