Alain Delon, the dark and handsome leading man who graced some of the most iconic European films of the 1960s and 1970s, has died at the age of 88. According to a statement released on Sunday, August 18, 2024, by the family to the AFP news agency and posted on X, “Alain Fabien, Anouchka, Anthony, as well as (his 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 his family.”
Delon had been suffering from poor health in recent years, including a stroke in 2019 that left him with significant health issues. His passing marks the end of an era for European cinema, where he was regarded as one of the last great stars of his generation.
Born on November 8, 1935, in Sceaux, a suburb south of Paris, Alain Delon’s early life was marked by turbulence. After his parents divorced when he was just four years old, Delon was sent to live with foster families and attended a Catholic boarding school. His formative years were difficult, but these experiences perhaps helped shape the stoic and intense screen presence that would later define his career.
Delon’s journey to cinematic stardom began somewhat serendipitously. After serving in the French Navy and being discharged for stealing and crashing a jeep during the First Indochina War, Delon returned to Paris, where he worked various odd jobs. It was during this time that he was introduced to the world of cinema by actor Jean-Claude Brialy, who took Delon to the Cannes Film Festival in 1956. There, Delon’s striking looks caught the attention of David O. Selznick, a Hollywood producer who offered him a contract, but Delon chose to stay in France.
His breakthrough came in 1960 with his role in René Clément’s “Purple Noon,” where he played the charismatic and morally ambiguous Tom Ripley. Delon’s performance was widely praised, and the film’s success catapulted him to international stardom. This role was followed by his portrayal of Rocco Parondi in Luchino Visconti’s “Rocco and His Brothers” (1960), which further established him as a major talent in European cinema.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Delon starred in a series of critically acclaimed films that have since become classics. His collaborations with director Jean-Pierre Melville, particularly in “Le Samouraï” (1967) and “The Red Circle’ (1970), are among his most celebrated works. Delon’s portrayal of the cool, enigmatic assassin Jef Costello in “Le Samouraï” remains one of the most iconic performances in film history.
Despite his success in Europe, Delon struggled to find the same level of recognition in Hollywood. After moving to the United States in 1964, he appeared in a handful of films, including “Once a Thief” (1965) and ‘The Yellow Rolls-Royce” (1964), but none managed to replicate the success he enjoyed in France. Delon returned to Europe and continued to build his legacy with roles in films like “The Leopard” (1963), “The Sicilian Clan” (1969), and “Borsalino” (1970).
Delon’s personal life was as dramatic as his on-screen roles. He had high-profile relationships with several actresses, including Romy Schneider, whom he described as the love of his life. The couple’s romance was the subject of intense media scrutiny, and their eventual breakup in 1963 was widely covered in the press. Delon was also involved in a series of controversies throughout his life, including allegations of racism, homophobia, and misogyny. In a 2019 interview with Reuters, Delon defended himself, stating, “I’m not against gay marriage, but I don’t approve of adoption by two people of the same sex.” He also said, “I never harassed a woman in my life. They, however, harassed me a lot.”
Despite the controversies, Delon’s contributions to cinema were undeniable. He received numerous accolades throughout his career, including a César Award for Best Actor for his role in Bertrand Blier’s “Our Story” (1984). In 2019, he was awarded an honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, a moment that was both celebrated and protested due to his controversial statements.
In his later years, Delon became increasingly reclusive, rarely making public appearances. His final years were marked by a legal battle among his children over his medical care and finances. In February 2024, police discovered 72 firearms and over 3,000 rounds of ammunition at his Douchy-Montcorbon home, none of which were registered. This discovery only added to the intrigue surrounding the enigmatic star.
As the world mourns the loss of Alain Delon, it is clear that his impact on cinema will endure. His performances, marked by a blend of intensity, charisma, and vulnerability, have left an indelible mark on the history of film. Delon once remarked that being a thespian is a calling. He identified as an actor, stating that a thespian engages in performance and dedicates years to mastering their art, while an actor experiences life. He noted that he has always embraced his roles rather than simply portraying them. “Being a thespian is a vocation. I’m an actor … A thespian performs, spends years learning his craft, while an actor lives. I always lived my roles and never performed them.” In the end, it is this commitment to “living” his roles that made Alain Delon a cinematic legend.