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 in hits together with The Samurai and Borsalino.

Delon had been ill lately and had turn out to be a digital recluse. Extra just lately, the breakdown of his household had made 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 probably the most lovely man within the motion pictures, Delon starred in hits from the Sixties together with The Leopard and Rocco and his Brothers.

He stole the hearts of followers no matter function he was enjoying, from a assassin to a charismatic conman.

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

In complete, he made virtually 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 an announcement on X, previously Twitter, he added: “Melancholy, standard, secretive, he was greater than a star: he was a French monument.”

An announcement from his household stated: “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 known 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 an announcement to AFP information company, Brigitte Bardot stated Delon “represented one of the best of France’s ‘status cinema'”.

“An envoy of magnificence, expertise, magnificence. I lose a buddy, 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 by which he appeared to bid farewell to cinema.

“It is a bit of a posthumous tribute, however from my lifetime,” he stated. “I’m going to depart, 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, stated he was an “icon” who had climbed “to the Olympus of the immortals”.

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 commonly made the entrance pages as he charmed and seduced his method round Europe on the peak of his fame.

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

His relationships with girls additionally prompted controversy and led to claims of misogyny.

Extra just lately, 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 girls, and a 3rd son unacknowledged and now useless.

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

They 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 towards them for endangering Delon’s life by refusing him medicines.

In April this yr, a choose positioned Delon beneath “bolstered curatorship”, which 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 stated 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.