Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Alain Delon
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Alain Delon made an impact.
Alain Delon is a French actor, film producer, screenwriter, singer, and businessman recognized as a major cultural and cinematic figure of the 20th century. He rose to prominence in the mid-1950s and became an international sex symbol and one of the most recognizable figures in French culture. His style, appearance, and roles solidified his status as an enduring international icon.
1957: Cannes Film Festival and entry into the film industry
In 1957, Alain Delon attended the Cannes Film Festival, where he befriended Jean-Claude Brialy and connected with the film industry, eventually meeting his agent George Beaume.
1958: Meeting Romy Schneider in "Christine"
In 1958, Alain Delon met actress Romy Schneider while co-starring in the film "Christine."
1959: Critical Acclaim for Women Are Weak
In 1959, Alain Delon achieved critical acclaim for his role in the film Women Are Weak, marking an early success in his acting career.
1959: Lead Role in Women Are Weak
In 1959, Alain Delon was given the lead role in the comedy Women Are Weak, which became a big hit in France and marked his first film to be seen in America.
1960: Critical Acclaim for Purple Noon and Rocco and His Brothers
In 1960, Alain Delon received critical acclaim for his roles in both Purple Noon and Rocco and His Brothers, solidifying his reputation as a talented actor.
1960: International Reputation with Plein Soleil and Rocco and His Brothers
In 1960, Alain Delon secured his international reputation with roles in René Clément's Plein Soleil (Purple Noon) and Luchino Visconti's Rocco and His Brothers, receiving critical acclaim for his performances.
1960: "Plein Soleil" Screening
In 1960, the movie 'Plein Soleil' was released.
1960: Release of 'Purple Noon' and 'Rocco and His Brothers'
In 1960, two of Alain Delon's acclaimed films, 'Purple Noon' and 'Rocco and His Brothers', were released.
1961: Stage Debut in ''Tis Pity She's a Whore''
In 1961, Alain Delon made his stage debut in the John Ford play ''Tis Pity She's a Whore'' alongside Romy Schneider in Paris, directed by Visconti.
1961: Considered for 'Fanny'
In 1961, Alain Delon was considered for a role in Joshua Logan's 'Fanny'.
1962: Starring in L'Eclisse
In 1962, Alain Delon starred opposite Monica Vitti in Michelangelo Antonioni's L'Eclisse, which became a major critical success.
1962: Critical Acclaim for L'Eclisse
In 1962, Alain Delon was critically acclaimed for his role in the film L'Eclisse.
1963: Role in The Devil and the Ten Commandments
In 1963, Alain Delon appeared in The Devil and the Ten Commandments, an all-star anthology film, alongside Danielle Darrieux.
1963: Role in Any Number Can Win
In 1963, Alain Delon lobbied for a role in Any Number Can Win, starring Jean Gabin. He took the film's distribution rights in certain countries instead of a straight salary, pioneering "Delon's method".
1963: Critical Acclaim for The Leopard and Any Number Can Win
In 1963, Alain Delon received critical acclaim for his roles in The Leopard and Any Number Can Win.
1963: Release of 'The Leopard'
In 1963, Alain Delon's acclaimed film 'The Leopard' was released.
1964: Filming Les Félins and Formation of Delbeau Production
In 1964, Alain Delon filmed Les Félins with Jane Fonda and started a production company, Delbeau Production, with Georges Beaume, producing The Unvanquished. He later left French cinema to pursue a career in Hollywood.
1964: Critical Acclaim for The Black Tulip
In 1964, Alain Delon received critical acclaim for his role in The Black Tulip.
1964: Starring in The Black Tulip
In 1964, Alain Delon starred in the swashbuckler film The Black Tulip, which became another hit, adding to his popularity in France.
1965: Delon Discusses Earnings from Any Number Can Win
In 1965, Alain Delon claimed that no one else has tried his distribution rights method since and made money, following his success with Any Number Can Win.
1965: The Yellow Rolls-Royce
In 1965, Alain Delon debuted in the British film industry with a role in the MGM anthology 'The Yellow Rolls-Royce,' co-starring with Shirley MacLaine. Although the film was popular, Delon's role was limited.
1965: Focus on Hollywood and Accent Training
In 1965, Alain Delon focused on Hollywood, expressing his desire to make films in America and Europe each year. He also worked on reducing his French accent to play various continental nationalities.
1965: Considered for 'The Loved One'
In 1965, Alain Delon was considered for a role in Tony Richardson's 'The Loved One'.
1966: Considered for 'This Property Is Condemned'
In 1966, Alain Delon was considered for a role in Sydney Pollack's 'This Property Is Condemned'.
1966: Lost Command
In 1966, Delon starred in 'Lost Command' for Columbia, playing a member of the French Foreign Legion alongside Anthony Quinn and Claudia Cardinale. The studio also announced that he would appear in the biopic 'Cervantes', but this was never made.
1967: Critical Acclaim for The Last Adventure and Le Samouraï
In 1967, Alain Delon was critically acclaimed for his performances in The Last Adventure and Le Samouraï.
1967: Release of 'Le Samouraï'
In 1967, Alain Delon's acclaimed film 'Le Samouraï' was released.
1968: Critical Acclaim for The Girl on a Motorcycle
In 1968, Alain Delon received critical acclaim for his role in The Girl on a Motorcycle.
1968: Return to French Cinema and "Le Samouraï"
In 1968, Alain Delon returned to French cinema and starred in 'Le Samouraï' with Jean-Pierre Melville, which became a film classic. Also in 1968, he appeared on the Paris stage in 'Les Yeux Crevés'.
1968: Considered for 'The Scavengers'
In 1968, Alain Delon was considered for a role in Henri Verneuil's 'The Scavengers'.
1968: Spirits of the Dead and The Girl on a Motorcycle
In 1968, Delon had a role in the anthology film, 'Spirits of the Dead', and starred in 'The Girl on a Motorcycle' with Marianne Faithfull. Also that year, he starred in 'Farewell Friend'.
1969: Critical Acclaim for La Piscine
In 1969, Alain Delon was critically acclaimed for his role in La Piscine.
1969: Release of 'La Piscine'
In 1969, Alain Delon's acclaimed film 'La Piscine' was released.
1969: Delon and Darc in 'Jeff'
In 1969, Delon and Darc appeared in the movie 'Jeff'.
1969: Jeff and The Sicilian Clan
In 1969, Delon starred in Jeff made by his own production company, Adel. Also in 1969, he collaborated with Lino Ventura and Jean Gabin in 'The Sicilian Clan'.
1970: Critical Acclaim for Le Cercle Rouge
In 1970, Alain Delon received critical acclaim for his role in Le Cercle Rouge.
1970: Release of 'Le Cercle Rouge'
In 1970, Alain Delon's acclaimed film 'Le Cercle Rouge' was released.
1970: Borsalino
In 1970, Delon produced and co-starred in 'Borsalino' opposite Jean-Paul Belmondo. The film was very popular in Europe.
1971: The Widow Couderc
In 1971, Alain Delon appeared opposite Simone Signoret in 'The Widow Couderc'.
1971: Reference to 'Le Samouraï' in 'The French Connection'
In 1971, William Friedkin's 'The French Connection' contained explicit references to 'Le Samouraï' and Alain Delon's character, Jef Costello.
1972: Critical Acclaim for Un flic
In 1972, Alain Delon was critically acclaimed for his role in Un flic.
1972: The Assassination of Trotsky and Red Sun
In 1972, Delon made another attempt at the English-speaking market with 'The Assassination of Trotsky.' Also in 1972, he starred in 'Red Sun' with Charles Bronson and Toshiro Mifune. He also starred in his third film with Melville, Un flic.
1973: 'Borsalino' inspires 'The Sting'
In 1973, 'Borsalino,' starring Alain Delon and Jean-Paul Belmondo, inspired Robert Redford and Paul Newman to stage 'The Sting'.
1973: Traitement de choc and Tony Arzenta
In 1973, Alain Delon appeared in the thrillers, 'Traitement de choc' and 'Tony Arzenta'.
1973: Recording of "Paroles, paroles"
In 1973, Alain Delon recorded the spoken part in the popular song "Paroles, paroles", a duet with Dalida.
1973: "Paroles, paroles"
In 1973, Alain Delon scored a hit duetting with Dalida on the song "Paroles, paroles".
1973: Delon considered for 'Dune'
In 1973, Alain Delon was slated to portray the character of Duncan Idaho in Alejandro Jodorowsky's cinematic adaptation of 'Dune,' which was later abandoned due to financial constraints.
1973: Duet with Dalida and Scorpio
In 1973, Delon recorded the song "Paroles, paroles" with Dalida. Also in 1973, he starred in 'Scorpio', and in France, he made 'The Burned Barns'.
1974: The Burned Barns, Two Men in Town and Borsalino & Co.
In 1974, Alain Delon made 'Creezy', produced 'Two Men in Town', and 'Borsalino & Co.'.
1974: Icy Breasts
In 1974, Delon starred in the gangster thriller 'Icy Breasts'.
1974: Reference to 'Le Samouraï' in 'The Conversation'
In 1974, Francis Ford Coppola's 'The Conversation' contained explicit references to 'Le Samouraï' and Alain Delon's character, Jef Costello.
1975: Zorro, The Gypsy and Flic Story
In 1975, Delon starred in 'Zorro', 'The Gypsy', and 'Flic Story'.
1976: Critical Acclaim for Monsieur Klein
In 1976, Alain Delon received critical acclaim for his role in Monsieur Klein.
1976: Considered for 'Taxi Driver'
In 1976, Alain Delon was considered for a role in Martin Scorsese's 'Taxi Driver'.
1976: Release of 'Monsieur Klein'
In 1976, Alain Delon's acclaimed film 'Monsieur Klein' was released.
1976: Boomerang, Armaguedon and Monsieur Klein
In 1976, Delon starred in 'Boomerang' and 'Armaguedon'. Also, in 1976 he starred in 'Monsieur Klein', for which he was nominated for the César Award.
1977: Starring and Producing Thrillers
In 1977, Delon starred in and produced 'Man in a Hurry', 'Death of a Corrupt Man', and 'Le Gang'.
1978: Attention, The Kids Are Watching
In 1978, Alain Delon starred in 'Attention, The Kids Are Watching'.
1979: Offered James Bond role
In 1979, Alain Delon was offered the role of James Bond by Albert Broccoli, but he declined.
1979: The Concorde ... Airport '79
In 1979, Delon signed with agent Sue Mengers and starred in 'The Concorde ... Airport '79' in a final attempt at Hollywood stardom.
1979: Diversified Business Activities
In 1979, Delon stated that films only accounted for a quarter of his business activities, and he also had interests in helicopters, furniture, prize fights, and horse racing.
1980: The Medic and Three Men to Kill
In 1980, Delon returned to acting in French films, starring in and producing 'The Medic' and 'Three Men to Kill'.
1981: Considered for 'Escape to Victory'
In 1981, Alain Delon was considered for a role in John Huston's 'Escape to Victory'.
1981: Teheran 43 and For a Cop's Hide
In 1981, Delon starred in 'Teheran 43' with Claude Jade and Curd Jürgens. He also appeared in 'For a Cop's Hide'.
1982: Le Choc
In 1982, Alain Delon appeared in 'Le Choc' opposite Catherine Deneuve.
1983: "Thought I'd Ring You"
In 1983, Alain Delon collaborated with Shirley Bassey on the song "Thought I'd Ring You".
1984: César Award and Swann in Love
In 1984, Delon was awarded the Best Actor César Award for his role in 'Notre histoire'. Also in 1984, he portrayed Baron de Charlus in 'Swann in Love'.
1988: Let Sleeping Cops Lie
In 1988, Delon starred in 'Let Sleeping Cops Lie'.
1990: Dancing Machine and Nouvelle Vague
In 1990, Delon starred in 'Dancing Machine'. Also in 1990, he played twins in Jean-Luc Godard's 'Nouvelle Vague'.
1997: Decision to Give Up Acting
In 1997, Alain Delon announced his decision to give up acting.
1998: Une chance sur deux
In 1998, Alain Delon's last major role was in 'Une chance sur deux', alongside Jean-Paul Belmondo.
2001: Fabio Montale
In 2001, Delon starred in the French television drama 'Fabio Montale', which was a big hit.
2003: Frank Riva
In 2003, Delon produced and starred in another French television police drama, 'Frank Riva'.
2008: Love Letters TV Movie
In 2008, Alain Delon directed a TV movie titled 'Love Letters', co-starring Anouk Aimée.
2008: Asterix aux jeux Olympiques
In 2008, Alain Delon starred as Julius Caesar in the film 'Asterix aux jeux Olympiques', co-starring Gérard Depardieu.
2011: Une journée ordinaire
In 2011, Alain Delon starred in the television movie 'Une journée ordinaire'.
2012: S Novym godom, Mamy!
In 2012, Alain Delon appeared as himself in the Russian production 'S Novym godom, Mamy!'.
November 2018: La Maison Vide Project Cancellation
In November 2018, Alain Delon's planned movie 'La Maison Vide', co-starring Juliette Binoche, was canceled.
April 2019: Release of "Je n'aime que toi"
In April 2019, at 83, Alain Delon released a new single, "Je n'aime que toi".
2019: Toute Ressemblance
In 2019, Alain Delon appeared as himself in the movie 'Toute Ressemblance'.
July 2021: TV5Monde Interview After Strokes
In July 2021, Alain Delon stated in an interview on TV5Monde, his first since having two strokes, that he planned to act in one more film.
September 2022: Interview with President Zelensky
In September 2022, Alain Delon interviewed Ukrainian President Zelensky on TV5Monde, expressing his support for the Ukrainian people.
2024: Angoulême Film Festival Screens "Notre histoire"
The 2024 Angoulême Francophone Film Festival changed its programming to screen "Notre histoire" by Bertrand Blier following Alain Delon's death.
2024: Lumière Festival Tribute and Speech
The 2024 Lumière Festival concluded with a screening of "Plein Soleil" and a speech by Anthony Delon, who recounted his father's career.
2025: Delon Ranked Among Most Popular Actors
Based on number of admissions, Alain Delon is the 10th most popular actor in France in 2025.
