Alain Delon, Impossibly Handsome French Star of 'Purple Noon,' Dies at 88

Alain Delon, the César-winning French film star who became internationally famous in the '60s — and who was the subject of an ugly family dispute in his decline — has died at 88.

The New York Times confirmed via a family statement that he died Sunday at his home in Douchy-Montcorbon, France. He had suffered a massive stroke in 2019 and was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2022, the year he reportedly told one of his sons he wished to end his own life via assisted suicide.

Though his beauty had always threatened to distract, Delon managed to consistently turn in enigmatic performances in a series of classic films, in the process becoming a pinup, a cinematic icon, and fodder for tabloids worldwide.

French President Emmanuel Macron honored him on Instagram as, "Wistful, popular, secretive, he was more than a star: a French monument."

Delon was born November 8, 1935, in Sceaux, France. After military service, he met actress Brigitte Auber of "To Catch a Thief" and was introduced to notorious agent Henry Willson, who recruited him for movie work.

His "When the Woman Meddles" was a hit in 1959, but it was Delon's work in "Purple Noon" (1960), based on Patricia Highsmith's "The Talented Mr. Ripley," that made him a household name when it became a worldwide sensation.

Other films included "Rocco and His Brothers" (1960), "Famous Love Affairs" (1961), "L'Eclipse" (1962), "Any Number Can Win" (1963), "The Leopard" (1963), "The Black Tulip" (1964), "Les Félins" (1964), "The Yellow Rolls-Royce" (1965), "Is Paris Burning?" (1966), "The Last Adventure" (1967), "Le Samouraï" (1967), The Girl on a Motorcycle" (1968), "La Piscine/The Swimming Pool" (1969), "Red Sun" (1972), "Scorpio" (1973), "Monsieur Klein" (1976), "The Concorde... Airport '79" (1979), "Notre histoire" (1984; César for Best Actor), "Nouvelle Vague" (1990), "Asterix aux jeux Olympiques" (2008), and many others, including a wealth of TV. His last feature was the Russian film "S Novym Godom, Mamy!" (2012).

Delon also sang, including on a hit duet with Dalida — one of his many famous lovers — called "Paroles, paroles" in 1973. He released a single as recently as 2019.

Delon became a controversial figure in his later years. When he made his final major appearance at Cannes in 2019 to receive a Palme d'Or, many pointed out his alignment with far-right groups and a history of problematic statements about queer people, women, and race, should have precluded the career-capping honor.

"It's a bit of a posthumous tribute," he joked darkly at the ceremony.

The star was wed to Nathalie Barthélemy from 1964 until their divorce five years later. He had high-profile relationships with the actress Romy Schneider, the love of his life; actress and model Mireille Darc; model Rosalie van Breemen; Ann-Margret; Lana Wood; among others.

A son he produced with singer Nico went unacknowledged. He preceded Delon in death in 2023.

Delon is survived by his surviving three children.