French actor Alain Delon, an iconic figure on the international film scene, has passed away at the age of 88. Delon, known for his leading roles in classic films such as *Purple Noon* (1960) and *Le Samouraï* (1967), died early Sunday morning, his children informed French media.
In a statement to AFP, the family said, “Alain Fabien, Anouchka, Anthony, and [his dog] Loubo are deeply saddened to announce the passing of their father. He passed away peacefully at his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and family.” Douchy is located in north-central France, where Delon spent his final years.
French President Emmanuel Macron was among those who paid tribute to the late actor, describing him not only as a legendary actor but also as a “monument.” Macron wrote on social media platform X: “Alain Delon played legendary roles and made the world dream. He gave his unforgettable face to turn our lives upside down. Melancholic, popular, reserved, he was more than a star: he was a French monument.”
Delon had suffered a stroke in 2019 and was diagnosed earlier this year with B-cell lymphoma, a type of cancer. The former actor’s declining health led to several months of public family disputes. In 2023, Delon returned to the news when his three children filed a complaint against his life assistant Hiromi Rollin, alleging harassment and threatening behavior.
Before his health deteriorated, Delon made his last major public appearance on the red carpet when he received an honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2019. “It is a form of posthumous tribute, but from my life,” he said in connection with receiving the award.
Delon’s physical appearance was his greatest asset for filmmakers in the 1960s and 70s, where he set the standard for one of Hollywood’s most beloved tropes — the mysterious, intellectual hitman, a role he embodied in his performance as the silent killer in Jean-Pierre Melville’s *Le Samouraï*.
The actor has been praised by directors such as Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and Hong Kong’s John Woo, although Delon never fully broke into Hollywood. Despite his popularity, he has also faced criticism, particularly for his support of the controversial politician Jean-Marie Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Front (now called National Rally), as well as allegations of domestic violence from his sons.
Delon, who described himself as right-wing, has also been the subject of ridicule for his egocentric behavior, often speaking about himself in the third person. At a gala in Cannes in 2019, he summarized his career with the statement: “One thing I am sure of is that if there is anything I am proud of, it is really only my career.”