Joe McConnell
Getty ImagesFrench film legend Alain Delon has died at the age of 88.
The actor was a star of the golden age of French cinema, known for his tough-guy persona on screen in hits such as The Samurai and Borsalino.
“He passed away peacefully at his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and his family,” read a statement released to the AFP news agency.
Delon has been in poor health in recent years and has become a virtual recluse. Most recently, the breakup of his family has made headlines in France.
Once described as the most handsome man in cinema, Delon starred in 1960s hits including The Leopard and Rocco and His Brothers.
Beginning in the 1990s, his film appearances became rarer, but he remained a regular presence in celebrity columns.
In total, he appeared in more than 90 films throughout his career.
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 his family.”
The daily newspaper Le Parisien called Delon “a legend of cinema,” while Libération described him as “a leading figure of cinema, a symbol of dark masculinity, the actor with mad charisma.”
Delon’s last major public appearance was the ceremony where he received the honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2019.
On that occasion he gave an emotional speech, in which he seemed to say goodbye to cinema.
Getty ImagesThe breakup of his family had recently made headlines in France as well.
His three sons had exposed their mutual grievances to the media through a series of insults, accusations, lawsuits and secret recordings.
It included disagreements over his medical treatment.
In April this year, a judge placed Delon under “enhanced guardianship,” meaning he no longer has full freedom to manage his assets.
Delon also made headlines in February this year when French police seized 72 firearms and 3,000 bullets from his home. Prosecutors said he did not have a gun license.
A shooting range was also found in his villa in Douchy-Montcorbon.
BBC News contacted Delon’s representatives.
