French Actor Alain Delon Dies at 88
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"I was special. A life similar to the one I lived will never come again. So I have no regrets about retiring."
The century's handsome man, French actor Alain Delon, passed away on the 18th (local time) at his home in Douchy, southern France. He was 88 years old.
On the day, AFP reported a statement released by Delon's three children announcing that their father had died after a long illness.
In the statement, they said, "Anthony (eldest son), Anouchka (eldest daughter), Alain-Fabien (younger daughter), and Lubo (Delon's companion dog) are deeply saddened to announce the passing of their father," adding, "He peacefully passed away surrounded by family at his home in Douchy."
Since the 1950s, he led the golden age of the French Nouvelle Vague, appearing in over 90 films and leaving numerous masterpieces such as Purple Noon, The Leopard, Le Samoura?, Two Men in Town, and The Night Caller.
In particular, in 1960, he rose to stardom playing the role of the poor young man Ripley, obsessed with social climbing, in Ren? Cl?ment's Purple Noon. The following year, he starred as Rocco Parondi in Luchino Visconti's Rocco and His Brothers (released domestically as The Young World), portraying the conflicts of a post-war migrant family and the harsh life of the petite bourgeoisie with outstanding acting skills, earning critical acclaim.
Known for his "gaze stronger than the sun," solid physique, and sculpted looks, Alain Delon was synonymous with handsomeness. He himself said, "I think I was really, really, really handsome. Women were captivated by me. From when I was eighteen until I was fifty."
Born in 1935 in the southern suburbs of Paris, Delon was known for his exceptional appearance even as a baby, to the extent that his mother wrote "Do Not Touch" on his stroller because so many people wanted to touch him, showing his extraordinary presence.
Delon's parents divorced when he was four in 1939, and after they remarried, he was adopted into different families. Following the sudden death of his stepfather, he was returned to his mother. Delon was expelled six times from boarding school for misconduct. Later, he worked at his stepfather's butcher shop but clashed with him due to his unique personality and failed to adapt to the job. At 17, he suddenly enlisted in the French Navy.
His military adaptation was short-lived. During his service, he was caught stealing and was deployed to Saigon, Vietnam, during the Indochina War in 1954. There, he stole a military vehicle and deserted, was caught, imprisoned in a military prison, and eventually dishonorably discharged in 1956, returning to France.
After cutting off contact with his family, he earned a living doing various odd jobs such as porter and waiter in Paris. In 1957, he entered the film industry after being scouted by American producer David Selznick at the Cannes Film Festival. Delon made his screen debut in 1957 with director Allegret's film When the Woman Approaches.
Critics regard Delon as a figure who ushered in the golden age of French noir. In Jean-Pierre Melville's films such as The Night Caller, Two Men in Town, and Le Doulos, he portrayed "the underclass life" unflinchingly with his unique decadent charm. Some analyses attribute his handsome yet decadent allure and eccentric personality to his dark personal history.
After undergoing stroke surgery in 2018 and being diagnosed with worsening lymphoma, Delon made headlines by announcing his decision to pursue euthanasia. In 2022, Delon's eldest son Anthony revealed that in 2019, during Delon's battle with stroke, he had decided to undergo euthanasia if his condition worsened.
He subsequently received treatment at a Swiss hospital but was transferred back to his home in France as his condition deteriorated, continuing his battle with illness there.
Major media outlets have described Delon as an indelible figure in modern film history.
AFP described him as "France's greatest screen seducer," while AP emphasized, "Whether playing morally corrupt heroes or romantic leads, Delon's presence was unforgettable."
French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute on the 18th via X (formerly Twitter), saying, "Delon was more than a star," calling him "a monumental figure of France."
He added, "Delon made the world dream through his legendary roles," emphasizing, "His unforgettable face had a profound impact on our lives."
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