French film legend Alain Delon has died at the age of 88.
The actor was a star of the golden era of French cinema, known for his tough-guy persona on screen in hits including The Samurai and Borsalino.
“He passed away peacefully in his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and his family,” a statement released to AFP news agency said.
Delon has been in poor health in recent years and become a virtual recluse. More recently, the breakdown of his family had been making headlines in France.
Once described as the most beautiful man in the movies, Delon starred in hits from the 1960s including The Leopard and Rocco and his Brothers.
From the 1990s, his film appearances grew rare, but he remained a fixture in the celebrity columns.
In total, he appeared in more than 90 films during the course of his career.
A statement from his family said: “Alain Fabien, Anouchka, Anthony, as well as (his dog) Loubo, are deeply saddened to announce the passing of their father.
“He passed away peacefully in his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and his family.”
Le Parisian newspaper called Delon “a legend of the cinema”, while Liberation described him as “a leading figure of cinema, symbol of shadowy masculinity, the actor with crazy charisma”.
Delon’s last major public appearance was to receive an honorary Palme d’or at the Cannes film festival in May 2019.
At the event, he made an emotional speech in which he appeared to bid farewell to cinema.
Alain Delon at the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival in 2019
More recently, the breakdown of his family had been making headlines in France.
His three children had laid their mutual grievances before the media in 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 “reinforced curatorship”, meaning he no longer had full freedom to manage his assets.
Delon also made headlines in February of this year when French police seized 72 firearms and 3,000 rounds of ammunition from his home. Prosecutors said he did not have a gun licence.
A shooting range was also found at his Douchy-Montcorbon mansion.
BBC News has contacted Delon’s representatives.
Secret Service ‘aware’ of Elon Musk post about Harris, Biden
Elon Musk wrote that “no one is even trying” to kill Joe Biden or Kamala Harris in a since-deleted tweet. The…
India opposition leader resigns as Delhi’s chief minister
Delhi leader Arvind Kejriwal got bail in a liquor policy case on Friday Prominent opposition leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind…
Hezbollah says exploding pagers kill three and injure many in
Lebanese army soldiers block an entrance of a southern suburb of Beirut following the blasts The Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah…
‘No other outcome’ – who will win Champions League? Pundits’
Real Madrid are bidding for their 16th Champions League title Thirty six clubs will now be taking part in a new-look…
UK farming’s ‘net zero’ climate target in doubt
The NFU had set a “national aspiration” for farming to produce net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 Ambitious plans to…
World Nomad Games: The spectacular ‘Olympics’ of Central Asia
The World Nomad Games are a spectacular celebration of traditional sports, identity and culture Part Highland Games, part Mongolian Naadam festival,…