Tributes pour in for French film legend Alain Delon
Politicians lead the praise of France’s ‘leading man’
The 88-year old actor died on Sunday at his home in the Loiret department. He is pictured here at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019
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A wealth of tributes have poured in for Alain Delon following the death of the iconic actor on Sunday (August 18), aged 88.
Politicians, film stars, commentators and members of the public have commented on the actor’s legacy, both in France and around the world.
French President Emmanuel Macron called the actor “a French monument” on X (formerly Twitter).
“A small part of the France we love leaves with him,” said Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right Rassemblement National, with Eric Ciotti adding that Delon was a “sincere patriot… and man of the French right-wing.”
The actor drew criticism for his support for Jean-Marie Le Pen, leader of the far-right party, however left-wing politicians also praised his undeniable influence on 20th-century film.
Alain Delon was “an icon of the cinema who… the whole world is mourning,” said Fabien Roussel, leader of the French Communist Party.
Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo said he was “a giant… left his mark on people's minds and hearts.”
Major news sites across the globe, including Der Spiegel in Germany and the BBC in the UK, highlighted the actor’s influence. The former called him “the James Dean of Europe.”
The actor’s influence spread as far afield as Japan, where state broadcaster NHK said Delon was “idolised… for his charm and body language.”
Fans flock to actor’s home
Fans flocked to the Douchy-Montcorbon commune in Loiret, where Delon lived in the final years of his life, following the announcement of his death.
Residents began to lay wreaths outside soon after the news broke and these have been added to by fans.
According to local authorities the actor wished to be buried at his property ‘and had taken the necessary steps’ for this.
Read more: Explainer: burials, cremations and funerals in France
Despite his worldwide success, headlines in recent years have focused on the fractious relationship between the star and his children.
You can read more about this – and his career – in our profile piece, published in February 2024 below.
Read more: Alain Delon: French cinema legend dogged by scandal and family feud
His children united to make a joint-announcement of their father’s death on Sunday.
