Renowned French cinematic figure, Alain Delon, succumbs at the age of 88.
"Announced his peaceful demise at his residence in Douchy, surrounded by his offspring and loved ones," stated a communique issued to AFP. Delon had been grappling with health issues in recent times.
Hailing from Sceaux, a suburb south of Paris, Delon's youth was tumultuous, characterized by his parents' separation and frequent academic dismissals. Subsequently, he served in the French Marines in Indochina and later took up odd jobs in Paris.
His cinematic debut occurred in 1957, where he portrayed a hitman in the thriller "Quand la femme s’en mêle," translated as "Send a Woman When the Devil Fails" in English.
This marked the beginning of Delon's career as an anti-hero, eventually culminating in his identification as a significant figure in European cinema in the 1960s. Collaborations with directors such as René Clément, Luchino Visconti, Jean-Pierre Melville, among others, further cemented his status.
1968 brought about a scandal involving Delon, French high society, and illicit activities dubbed the Markovic affair. Delon was questioned but never indicted.
His ventures into English-language productions yielded roles in films like "The Yellow Rolls-Royce" (1964), "Texas Across the River" (1966), and "Red Sun" (1971). Regrettably, he could not recreate his European cinema success in these endeavors.
Delon was bestowed with a César Award in 1985 for his role as an alcoholic in Bertrand Blier's "Our Story." Additionally, he received a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of Tancredi in "The Leopard."
Claiming to fame, however, gradually faded in Delon's later years. In the 21st century, he made a comeback on television, featuring in detective roles for two miniseries – "Fabio Montale" (2002) and "Frank Riva" (2003-04).
In 2005, Delon was honored with the Officer title in the French Legion of Honor for his influence on world cinema.
His union with actress and model Nathalie Delon from 1964 to 1969 produced a single child, Anthony.
Delon also fathered three other children: a son, Christian Boulogne, with singer and actress Nico; and daughters Anouchka Delon and Alain-Fabien Delon with Dutch actress Rosalie van Breemen.
Delon's filmography spans various genres and languages, including his appearances in English-language movies such as "The Yellow Rolls-Royce" and "Red Sun." These films provided an opportunity for him to showcase his talent beyond European cinema.
Despite having fathered children with French actress Nathalie Delon and Nico, a singer and actress, Delon also has a daughter, Alain-Fabien Delon, with Dutch actress Rosalie van Breemen, expanding his family ties across nationalities and entertainment industries.
