French cinema icon Delon dies at 88

French actor Alain Delon, celebrated for his captivating roles as a murderer, hoodlum, and hitman, has passed away at the age of 88.

His three children announced the news on Sunday, marking the end of a remarkable career that enchanted millions of film enthusiasts worldwide.

Delon, who had been in declining health since suffering a stroke in 2019, spent his final years in seclusion at his estate in Douchy, located in the picturesque Val de Loire region of France.

His passing has elicited heartfelt tributes, with President Emmanuel Macron recognizing him as a “giant of French culture.” Macron reflected on Delon’s extraordinary impact, stating, “Alain Delon has played legendary roles and made the world dream. Lending his unforgettable face to shake up our lives. Melancholic, popular, secretive, he was more than a star: he was a French monument.”

Known for his striking blue eyes and magnetic presence, Delon was often likened to the “French Frank Sinatra” due to his dashing looks—a comparison he did not particularly embrace. Unlike Sinatra, who distanced himself from any associations with organized crime, Delon was candid about his connections with the underworld.

In a revealing 1970 interview with the New York Times, he openly discussed his friendships with gangsters, including one of the last “Godfathers” from the Mediterranean port of Marseille.

“Most of them the gangsters I know… were my friends before I became an actor,” Delon remarked. “I don’t worry about what a friend does. Each is responsible for his own act. It doesn’t matter what he does.”

Alain Delon leaves behind a complex legacy, woven with threads of glamour, intrigue, and undeniable talent—a true icon of French cinema whose influence will echo through generations.