Who Was Alain Delon? All You Need To Know About French Actor Who Played Iconic Villain Roles As He Passes Away At 88

As a lifestyle expert, I find it truly captivating to delve into the life stories of individuals who have left indelible marks on the world of cinema. Alain Delon, with his enigmatic charm and raw talent, was undoubtedly one such figure. Born into humble beginnings in Sceaux, France, he rose through the ranks to become an iconic actor, gracing our screens with his magnetic presence for over six decades.


TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains refrences to an individual’s death.

The beloved French actor Alain Delon, famed for his portrayals of hitmen, criminals, and killers that captured the hearts of countless film enthusiasts, has sadly passed away at the age of 88. As confirmed by his family’s announcement to Agence France-Presse, he breathed his last on Sunday, August 18, in his residence located in Douchy-Montcorbon, France.

It wasn’t made clear why Delon passed away, but The Washington Post and The New York Times reported that one of his sons, Anthony Delon, disclosed that his health had declined following a stroke in 2019. In the year 2022, he began receiving treatment for a specific type of lymphoma, which had been diagnosed previously.

Born on the 8th of November, 1935, Alain Delon hails from Sceaux, a district located in the south of Paris. Whilst his mother, Edith, was employed at a local pharmacy, his father, Fabien, managed a neighborhood cinema.

In 1939, after his parents’ divorce, he was placed in a foster home and later attended a Catholic boarding school. Upon earning a vocational qualification, he worked for a short period at his stepfather’s butcher shop in Paris’ Bourg-la-Reine district. At the age of seventeen, Delon was drafted into the French Navy and chose to enlist.

1956 saw Delon back in Paris, juggling various temporary jobs and frequenting the cafes and nightspots of Saint-Germain-des-Pres. It was during this time that he crossed paths with Jean-Claude Brialy, a notable figure who had appeared in groundbreaking New Wave movies such as Claude Chabrol’s Le Beau.

At the 1957 Cannes Film Festival, a Hollywood talent scout spotted him and encouraged him to learn English before moving to the U.S., marking the beginning of his acting career. However, after meeting French filmmaker Yves Allégret, Delon opted to stay in France instead. His debut role was in Allégret’s 1957 film titled When a Woman Gets Involved.

In the 1960s, Delon gained fame for his performances in two Italian films, “Rocco and His Brothers” and “The Leopard,” both directed by Luchino Visconti. Although he worked on numerous productions and acted in approximately 100 films throughout his career, Delon’s work often went unrecognized during his lifetime. However, in 1995, the Berlinale honored him with an honorary Golden Bear, and in 2019, Cannes awarded him an honorary Palme d’Or.

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2024-08-19 09:22