Year after year, the entertainment world loses many beloved figures who remain immortalized in the productions they brought to life. As if this year hadn’t already been marked by the losses of Shelley Duvall, Donald Sutherland, and Gena Rowland, we now mourn the passing of French film legend Alain Delon, who died at 88 on August 18.
With 107 acting credits to his name, Delon became one of the most significant actors in the history of cinema. He starred in some of the finest European movies of the 1960s and 1970s and collaborated with renowned directors such as Luchino Visconti, Jean-Luc Godard, Jean-Pierre Melville, Michelangelo Antonioni, and Louis Malle.
Delon was recognized as one of the leading men of 20th-century cinema, serving as a touchstone for countless actors both in Europe and beyond. Above all, he was deeply respected by the film community at large, earning praise from figures across the industry, including Sofia Coppola and William Friedkin.
Alain Delon passes away at 88
Earlier this year, reports emerged that Alain Delon was in poor health and living a reclusive life at his La Brûlerie estate in Douchy. After suffering a severe stroke in 2019, his health continued to decline. His family has now confirmed his passing in a heartfelt statement:
Alain Delon attends the screening of “A Hidden Life (Une Vie Cachée)” during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2019 in Cannes, France. (Source: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
“Alain Fabien, Anouchka, Anthony, as well as his beloved 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 family.”
In recent years, Delon made headlines less for his remarkable career and more for the public feud among his three children over his care, which stirred considerable controversy.
Condolences are pouring in from various corners of the world, starting with French President Emmanuel Macron, who stated: “Mr. Klein or Rocco, the ‘Leopard’ or the ‘Samurai,’ Alain Delon played legendary roles and made the world dream. He lent his unforgettable face to turn our lives upside down. Melancholic, popular, secretive, he was more than a star: he was a French monument.”
While Delon’s public stances on sensitive political and social issues also kept him in the spotlight, it is his immense career and contributions to cinema that will undoubtedly define his legacy for generations to come.
