French movie legend Alain Delon has died on the age of 88.

The actor was a star of the golden period of French cinema, recognized for his tough-guy persona on display screen in hits together with The Samurai and Borsalino.

Delon has been sick in recent times and change into a digital recluse. Extra not too long ago, the breakdown of his household had been making headlines in France.

Brigitte Bardot led tributes in France saying Delon’s dying left a “enormous void that nothing and no-one will be capable of fill”.

As soon as described as essentially the most lovely man within the films, Delon starred in hits from the Nineteen Sixties together with The Leopard and Rocco and his Brothers.

He stole the hearts of followers no matter position he was taking part in, from a assassin to a charismatic conman.

From the Nineties, his movie appearances grew uncommon, however he remained a fixture within the superstar columns.

In complete, made nearly 90 movies throughout the course of his profession.

French President Emmanuel Macron was amongst these paying tribute to Delon on Sunday, saying the actor “performed legendary roles and made the world dream”.

In a press release on X, previously Twitter, he added: “Melancholy, common, secretive, he was greater than a star: he was a French monument.”

A press release from his household mentioned: “Alain Fabien, Anouchka, Anthony, in addition to (his canine) Loubo, are deeply saddened to announce the passing of their father.

“He handed away peacefully in his residence in Douchy, surrounded by his three youngsters and his household.”

Le Parisian newspaper referred to as Delon “a legend of the cinema”, whereas Liberation described him as “a number one determine of cinema, image of shadowy masculinity, the actor with loopy charisma”.

In a press release to the AFP, Brigitte Bardot mentioned Delon “represented one of the best of France’s ‘status cinema'”.

“An envoy of magnificence, expertise, magnificence. I lose a good friend, an alter ego, a companion.”

Delon’s final main public look was to obtain an honorary Palme d’or on the Cannes movie pageant in Might 2019.

On the occasion, he made an emotional speech through which he appeared to bid farewell to cinema.

“It is a bit of a posthumous tribute, however from my lifetime,” he had mentioned. “I’m going to go away, however I will not go away with out thanking you.”

Former president of the Cannes pageant, Gilles Jacob, described Delon as “a lion… an actor with a steely gaze”, whereas Alberto Barbera, director of the Venice movie pageant, mentioned he was an “icon” who had climbed “to the Olympus of the immortals”.

Certainly one of his followers from Paris reacting to information of his dying, in the meantime, advised Reuters Information Company: “I believed he might by no means die.”

For many years, the French public have adopted the ins and outs of Delon’s prolific profession and equally prolific love life, by way of Paris-Match and different magazines.

His vibrant private life frequently made the entrance pages as he charmed and seduced his approach round Europe on the top of his fame.

However he additionally confronted criticism. Some disapproved of his help for Jean-Marie Le Pen, chief of the far-right Nationwide Entrance, who championed the dying penalty and opposed same-sex marriage.

His relationship with ladies additionally triggered controversy and led to claims of misogyny.

Extra not too long ago, the breakdown of his household had been making headlines in France.

The actor had three youngsters – two sons and a daughter – by two completely different ladies, and a 3rd son unacknowledged and now lifeless.

In recent times, his surviving youngsters have been laying naked their mutual grievances earlier than the media in a sequence of insults, accusations, lawsuits and secret recordings.

It included disagreements over his medical therapy, following his stroke in 2019.

One other row concerned Hiromi Rollin, Delon’s former housekeeper.

Delon’s youngsters ejected her final yr, however she subsequently filed a swimsuit in opposition to them for endangering Delon’s life by refusing him medicines.

In April this yr, a choose positioned Delon beneath “bolstered curatorship”, that means he not had full freedom to handle his belongings.

Delon additionally made headlines in February of this yr when French police seized 72 firearms and three,000 rounds of ammunition from his residence. Prosecutors mentioned he didn’t have a gun licence.

A taking pictures vary was additionally discovered at his Douchy-Montcorbon mansion.

BBC Information has contacted Delon’s representatives.