Renowned French actor Alain Delon has indeed passed away at the age of 88, as reported by the French media. He starred in over 90 films during his illustrious career.
French actor Alain Delon, renowned for his captivating portrayals of murderers, hoodlums, and hitmen during his postwar prime, has passed away at the age of 88. This was reported by French media on Sunday.
Following a stroke in 2019, Delon’s health has significantly declined, leading to rare departures from his estate in Douchy, situated in France’s Val de Loire region.
Delon, with his striking blue eyes, earned the moniker “French Frank Sinatra” due to his striking looks, a label he detested. Unlike Sinatra, who always denied any association with the Mafia, Delon openly acknowledged his connections to underworld figures.
During a 1970 interview with the New York Times, Delon was questioned about his associations, including one individual who was among the last “Godfathers” of the underworld in Marseille.
“Most of the gangsters I know were my friends before I entered the world of acting,” he stated. “I do not concern myself with their actions. Each person is accountable for their own deeds, regardless of what they may be.”
Delon quickly gained fame for his roles in two iconic films directed by Luchino Visconti: “Rocco and His Brothers” in 1960 and “The Leopard” in 1963.
He shared the screen with acclaimed French actor Jean Gabin in Henri Verneuil’s 1963 film “Melodie en Sous-Sol” and delivered a standout performance in Jean-Pierre Melville’s 1967 “Le Samourai” as a philosophical contract killer, showcasing his remarkable talent in minimal dialogue and solo scenes.
Despite earning stardom in France and adoration in Japan, Delon didn’t reach the same level of success in Hollywood. Nevertheless, he collaborated with American cinema giants, including Burt Lancaster in the 1973 film “Scorpio.”
In the 1970 film “Borsalino,” he co-starred with fellow French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo in an unforgettable, stylized fight over a woman, portraying rival gangsters with remarkable intensity.
In one of his crowning moments, Alain Delon starred alongside his real-life lover Romy Schneider in the 1969 erotic thriller “La Piscine,” a sultry French Riviera saga of jealousy and seduction.
