Legendary French actor Alain Delon passed away at the age of 88 on Sunday, August 18, 2024, according to a statement by his family, as reported by French media. Delon had suffered a stroke three years ago and had been battling lymphoma.
In the summer of 2023, Delon made headlines when his three sons filed a lawsuit against Hiromi Rollin, his domestic helper—often referred to as his partner—accusing her of “exploiting his vulnerability.” This legal battle led to a public family dispute that spilled into the courts and was widely covered by the media, fueled by concerns surrounding Delon’s declining health.
Delon was celebrated as a charismatic actor known for his intense, brooding performances and his ability to portray both complex and romantic roles. Critics acknowledge that he delivered iconic performances in films directed by some of the most esteemed directors in France, Italy, and the United States. Often hailed as the “icon of French cinema,” Delon’s legacy is marked by his influential presence on screen.
In May 2019, Delon returned to the spotlight at the Cannes Film Festival, where he was awarded an honorary Palme d’Or. The Purple Noon (1960) star—who rose to international fame through that role—remarked at the time, “It feels like a posthumous tribute, but while I’m still alive.” His final public appearance was in the summer of 2021 at the funeral of fellow actor Jean-Paul Belmondo, his co-star in some of his most renowned films.
Delon left behind a remarkable cinematic legacy alongside a passionate and eventful life. He appeared in 88 feature films and seven television movies, directed two films, and produced 32 films and seven plays. At just 23 years, Delon made his screen debut in 1957, initially capitalizing on his striking good looks, often described as having “the face of an angel” in his youth. However, he quickly proved himself as an actor capable of serious and nuanced performances, starring in cinema classics like Rocco and His Brothers, Le Samouraï, The Leopard, and Mr. Klein.
Delon’s fame extended well beyond France; his films enjoyed widespread popularity in regions like Japan, the Middle East, Canada, and China, solidifying his status as a global cinematic icon.
Delon took on a wide range of roles throughout his career, but major awards largely eluded him. He won his only César Award for Best Actor in 1985 for his performance in “Our Story”. A decade later, the Berlin Film Festival honored him with the Honorary Golden Bear. It wasn’t until 2019 that he received the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes in recognition of his lifetime achievements. During the ceremony, the veteran star delivered what many considered a poignant farewell speech, stating, “This is not just a speech marking the end of my career—it’s a speech marking the end of my life. You are honoring a living dead man”.
In his later years, Delon withdrew from the public eye, retreating to his home near Paris, which he transformed into a private museum filled with hundreds of his photographs and film posters. Seeking financial refuge from France’s steep income taxes, he moved his tax residency to Switzerland. Beyond being a celebrated movie star, Delon was one of the highest-paid leading actors for decades, enabling him to invest in various ventures and amass a fortune estimated at 300 million euros.
