Renowned French actor Alain Delon, famous for playing both villains and heroes, has passed away at 88, according to reports from French media. He was a global heartthrob, captivating audiences with his versatile performances. Alain Delon, known for his striking looks and gentle behaviour, blended toughness with a touch of vulnerability. This unique combination made him one of France’s most unforgettable leading actors.
Early Life and Career
Alain Delon was born in Sceaux, a suburb south of Paris, to Edith (née Arnold) and Fabien Delon. His parents divorced when he was four, and his foster parents raised him until they passed away in a car accident. Afterwards, he returned to live with his mother and her new husband, Paul Boulogne, a butcher. At 14, Delon unhappily had to work in a butcher’s shop under his stepfather.
After being expelled from several schools for bad behaviour, he joined the French Navy at age 17. He served as an Indochina parachutist during the Dien Bien Phu siege. During his four years in the military, Delon spent 11 months in prison for being “undisciplined.”
After his dishonourable discharge in 1956, he returned to civilian life and worked as a porter, waiter, and salesman. During this period, he befriended actors Brigitte Auber and Jean-Claude Brialy, who invited him to the 1957 Cannes Film Festival. At Cannes, Delon’s striking looks caught the eye of a talent scout for producer David O. Selznick, who said he offered him a Hollywood contract if he learned English. However, after Auber convinced director Yves Allégret to cast him in Quand la Femme s’en Mêle (When a Woman Meddles, 1957), Delon chose to pursue an acting career in France instead.
Delon starred alongside seasoned actors like Edwige Feuillère, Jean Servais, and Bernard Blier in his early career. While some called him France’s James Dean. Even though he looked younger than his 22 years, he stood out as a hitman, a type of role he became known for later on.
In Sois Belle et Tais-Toi (Be Beautiful But Shut Up 1958), directed by Marc Allégret, Delon played a small-time crook. He was paired with Jean-Paul Belmondo, who would become as popular as Delon in the 60s and 70s. The two were teamed up again in Borsalino (1970), Borsalino and Co (1974), and later as older action stars in Une Chance sur Deux (Half a Chance, 1998).
In the 1970s, Delon continued acting in films, though they did not have the same impact as his earlier work. He starred in Monsieur Klein (1977), which won the César for Best Film, and in 1985, he won the César for Best Actor for Notre Histoire. Delon also expanded his career by producing films through his company, directing his first film, Pour la Peau d’un Flic, in 1981 and exploring other interests like boxing and furniture design.
He also worked with famous directors like Luchino Visconti, Louis Malle, Michelangelo Antonioni, and Jean-Luc Godard. However, despite these successes, he could not make it big in Hollywood. In the 1990s, Delon reduced his film work after a role in Jean-Luc Godard’s Nouvelle Vague. He announced his retirement in 1997 but returned in 2008 to play Julius Caesar in Asterix at the Olympic Games.
Moreover, discussing his political views, He supported Jean-Marie Le Pen, the controversial leader of the far-right National Front (now the National Rally). People recognize Le Pen for supporting the death penalty and opposing homosexuality. His impact on cinema and popular culture spans across generations, and his passing leaves a profound void for fans and colleagues worldwide. He acted in nearly 90 films throughout his career.
Iconic Films and Roles
The actor was a major star of French cinema’s golden era, famous for roles in movies like The Samurai and Borsalino. People knew him for his tough-guy image, and someone once called him the most beautiful man. In film, Delon also starred in 1960s hits such as The Leopard and Rocco and His Brothers. He captivated fans in every role, from a murderer to a charming con man.
Although he appeared in fewer films from the 1990s, he remained a prominent figure in the celebrity world. In 1960, he gained fame for his role in Plein Soleil, directed by René Clément.
In 1967 Delon starred in the cult classic Le Samouraï with director Jean-Pierre Melville, playing a hitman in a raincoat. This film’s success led to more crime dramas, including The Sicilian Clan with Jean Gabin, Borsalino, directed by Deray, and another Melville film, The Red Circle. Delon appeared with Marianne Faithfull in Girl on a Motorcycle, where she rides across Europe in leather. He also starred in La Piscine with his former lover Schneider.
The film was remade in 2016 as A Bigger Splash with Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes. During the release of La Piscine, a major scandal, known as the “Markovic affair,” erupted. They found Delon’s bodyguard, Stefan Markovic, dead in a dump in 1968. This led to a big controversy that involved important people in France.
Personal Life and Controversies
Alain Delon married actress and model Francine Canovas, who was also known as Nathalie Delon, in 1964. They had a son named Anthony the same year. The couple divorced in 1968. Then, he lived with French actress Mireille Darc from 1968 to 1982. Later, he lived with Dutch model Rosalie van Breemen, who was 30 years younger, from 1987 to 2002. With Rosalie van Breemen, he had two children named Anouchka Delon and Alain-Fabien Delon.
Also, In 1962, singer and model Nico had a son, Christian, whom Delon denied fathering. However, Delon’s mother adopted the child. Recently, Delon’s family issues have been making news in France. He had three children from two women and another son who was not recognized and has since passed away.
His children have been publicly arguing, with disputes about his medical care after his 2019 stroke. That was a dispute involving Hiromi Rollin, Delon’s former housekeeper. Delon’s children removed her from their home last year. Rollin then accused them, claiming they put Delon’s life at risk by not giving him his medications.
However, In April, a judge placed Delon under “reinforced curatorship,” restricting his ability to manage his finances. Also, another piece of news about Delon was heard at his house in February of this year. French police seized 72 guns and 3,000 rounds of ammunition from his home, finding that he lacked a gun license. They also discovered a shooting range at his mansion in Douchy-Montcorbon.
Later Years and Decline in Health
In 2019, Delon had a stroke. Earlier this year, Anthony, his son, revealed that doctors diagnosed Delon with B-cell lymphoma, a type of cancer. Delon’s declining health led to months of public family disputes. Before his stroke, Delon’s last major public appearance was in May 2019, when he received an honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Tributes and Legacy
French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to Delon, calling him a “French monument.” He noted that Delon “played legendary roles and made the world dream.” Macron described him as “melancholy, popular, and secretive,” emphasizing that he was more than just a star.
According to BBC News, Gilles Jacob, former president of the Cannes Film Festival, called Delon “a lion… an actor with a steely gaze” Alberto Barbera, director of the Venice Film Festival, described him as an “icon” who had reached “the Olympus of the immortals.”
