Film legend Alain Delon passed away at his home in France on Sunday at the age of 88, surrounded by his three children. Delon was a famous French actor known for his good looks and roles in many important European movies from the 1950s to the 2000s.
Delon got his big break in 1960 when he starred in “Purple Noon,” adapted from the novel “The Talented Mr. Ripley.” He played the character Tom Ripley, who was not a good person. This performance made Delon very famous and he often acted as charming but dangerous characters after that. In the 1960s, Delon worked with famous directors on movies like “Rocco and His Brothers” and “The Leopard.” Another famous role was in the 1967 film “Le Samouraï” where he played a quiet hitman, which many saw as reflecting his own personality.
While popular in Europe, Delon did not have the same fame in America. He made some English language movies in the 1960s but did not catch on with US audiences. He continued acting successfully in French and Italian movies for decades. Delon had a tough childhood growing up in France and even served in the French military in Asia before starting his acting career.
In his personal life, Delon dated actresses Romy Schneider and Mireille Darc. In 1968 there was a murder involving his bodyguard, but Delon was found not to be involved. Later in life, some criticized Delon for supporting far-right political figures. At 88, Alain Delon had roles on television and stage in his final years before his death.
Delon is survived by his three children and will be remembered for bringing depth and intrigue to many classic European films over six decades. While sometimes controversial, his talent and good looks left a lasting mark on cinema.
