Alain Delon, French icon known as ‘male Brigitte Bardot,’ dies at 88

Alain Delon, the iconic star of 1960s and 1970s European cinema, has passed away at the age of 88. His family confirmed the news to Agence France-Presse, noting that Delon had suffered a stroke in 2019.

In a heartfelt statement, his children, Alain Fabien, Anouchka, and Anthony, along with his dog Loubo, expressed their sorrow: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our father. He left us peacefully at his home in Douchy, located in the beautiful Val de Loire region of France.”

French President Emmanuel Macron commemorated Delon’s legacy on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. He referred to Delon as “a French monument,” adding, “Melancholic, popular, secretive, he was more than a star.”

Delon was highly regarded not only for his remarkable acting abilities but also for his striking good looks. Born on November 8, 1935, just outside Paris, he entered foster care at the age of four after his parents divorced. His early life was tumultuous, marked by running away from home multiple times and being expelled from various boarding schools. At 17, he enlisted in the Marines.

His career in acting commenced in 1957 with the film “Quand la femme s’en mele” (“Send a Woman When the Devil Fails”). Delon’s breakthrough came through two notable films directed by Luchino Visconti: “Rocco and His Brothers” in 1960 and “The Leopard” in 1963. He showcased his talent in various noteworthy roles, including those in the 1967 film “Le Samouraï” (“The Godson”), where he played a philosophical contract killer, and the 1969 classic “La Piscine” (“The Swimming Pool”), portraying the seductive complexities with his then-partner, Romy Schneider.

The middle of his career saw him transition to Hollywood. He starred alongside Ann-Margret and Jack Palance in 1965’s “Once a Thief,” and appeared opposite Burt Lancaster in 1973’s “Scorpio.” However, his Hollywood successes did not match his earlier European acclaim.

Despite his fame, Delon’s life was often clouded by controversy. He openly acknowledged associations with individuals in the Mafia, stating in a 1970 interview with the New York Times, “Most of them the gangsters I know… were my friends before I became an actor. I don’t worry about what a friend does. Each is responsible for his own act. It doesn’t matter what he does.”

One of the more scandalous events in his life occurred when his former bodyguard, Stefan Markovic, was tragically found dead with a bullet in his head, leading to Delon being interrogated regarding the incident. He later expressed regret regarding the abolition of the death penalty and made disparaging comments about gay marriage.

Throughout his career, Delon received numerous accolades, including the César Award for Best Actor in 1985 for “Our History.” His most recent honor was the honorary Palme d’Or, which he received at the Cannes International Film Festival in May 2019.

Alain Delon leaves behind a legacy as a cinematic legend whose influence on both European and global cinema remains undeniable.

Source: USA TODAY, AFP