Parisians were “shocked” by the news of Alain Delon’s death on Sunday (18). The French actor who melted the hearts of millions of film fans died at the age of 88.
Many were saddened, but insisted on remembering the actor’s talent and his central role in 20th century French cinema.
“He was someone who understood what cinema meant, what it meant to be an actor, a comedian, so it is a great sadness that he is no longer with us today,” said Mika, 22.
Delon had already been in poor health since suffering a stroke in 2019, and rarely left his estate in Douchy, in France’s Val de Loire region.
Because of his striking blue eyes, Delon was sometimes called the “French Frank Sinatra” due to his handsome appearance. The comparison was something that displeased the actor.
Although Delon was a star in France and idolized by men and women in Japan, the actor never had much success in Hollywood, even though he worked with giants of American cinema, such as Burt Lancaster, when he played the apprentice singer Scorpio in the film of the same name in 1973.
His last major public appearance was to receive an honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2019.
In recent years, the actor has been at the center of a family dispute over his care, which subsequently made headlines in the French media.
In April 2024, the court placed Delon under “enhanced custody,” meaning he no longer had full control over his assets. He was already under legal protection due to concerns for his health and well-being.
