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, producer, screenwriter, singer, and businessman recognized as a major cultural and cinematic figure of the 20th century. Rising to prominence in the late 1950s, he became a leading European actor and international sex symbol. Delon's style, appearance, and iconic roles cemented his enduring popularity and status as a significant figure in French culture.
1956: Return to France and Odd Jobs
In 1956, after his naval service, Alain Delon returned to France. He worked various odd jobs, including a produce handler and a waiter, and became acquainted with members of the French underworld.
1957: Meeting Brigitte Auber and Contact with Film Industry
In 1957, Alain Delon met actress Brigitte Auber in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Through her, he attended the Cannes Film Festival, where he met his future agent George Beaume and was scouted by Henry Willson, leading to an offer from David O. Selznick.
April 1958: Meeting Romy Schneider and Engagement
On April 10, 1958, Alain Delon met Romy Schneider at Orly airport in Paris. They were cast as partners in the film 'Christine'. Initially, they disliked each other, but they eventually fell in love and became engaged.
1958: Co-starred in Christine with Romy Schneider
In 1958, Alain Delon co-starred with Romy Schneider in the film Christine, marking the beginning of their relationship.
1959: Critical Acclaim for 'Women Are Weak'
In 1959, Alain Delon received critical acclaim for his role in the film 'Women Are Weak', marking an early success in his career.
1959: Lead Role in 'Women Are Weak'
In 1959, Alain Delon was given the lead role in the comedy 'Women Are Weak', which was a big hit in France and his first film seen in America. He made personal appearances in New York to promote the movie.
1960: International Recognition
In 1960, Alain Delon gained international recognition for his roles in René Clément's 'Plein Soleil' (released as 'Purple Noon' in the US) and Luchino Visconti's 'Rocco and His Brothers'. His portrayal of Tom Ripley in 'Purple Noon' was highly praised.
1960: Roles in 'Purple Noon' and 'Rocco and His Brothers'
In 1960, Alain Delon garnered further critical acclaim for his performances in 'Purple Noon' and 'Rocco and His Brothers', solidifying his status as a leading actor.
1960: Purple Noon and Rocco and His Brothers Release
In 1960, two of Alain Delon's most acclaimed films, "Purple Noon" and "Rocco and His Brothers", were released.
1961: Stage Debut and Film Roles
In 1961, Alain Delon made his stage debut in 'Tis Pity She's a Whore' alongside Romy Schneider in Paris, directed by Visconti. He also appeared in the Italian comedy film 'The Joy of Living' and the anthology film 'Famous Love Affairs'.
1961: Consideration for Role in Fanny
In 1961, Alain Delon was considered for a role in Joshua Logan's Fanny.
1962: L'Eclisse Release
In 1962, Alain Delon starred in another acclaimed film, "L'Eclisse".
1962: Role in 'L'Eclisse'
In 1962, Alain Delon starred in the film 'L'Eclisse', directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, adding to his repertoire of critically acclaimed performances.
1963: The Leopard Release
In 1963, "The Leopard", one of Alain Delon's most acclaimed films, was released.
1963: Role in The Devil and the Ten Commandments
In 1963, Alain Delon appeared in another all-star anthology film, The Devil and the Ten Commandments, alongside Danielle Darrieux.
1963: "Delon's Method" for 'Any Number Can Win'
In 1963, Alain Delon secured the role in 'Any Number Can Win' and negotiated a deal to take the film's distribution rights in certain countries instead of a straight salary. This arrangement, known as "Delon's method," proved highly profitable.
1963: Roles in 'The Leopard' and 'Any Number Can Win'
In 1963, Alain Delon starred in 'The Leopard' and 'Any Number Can Win', both of which contributed to his growing international recognition.
1964: Role in 'The Black Tulip'
In 1964, Alain Delon starred in 'The Black Tulip', adding another notable film to his career.
1965: Delon's Reflection on "Delon's method"
In 1965, Alain Delon claimed that "no one else has tried it since and made money" after using the "Delon's method" in 1963.
1965: Consideration for Role in The Loved One
In 1965, Alain Delon was considered for a role in Tony Richardson's The Loved One.
1966: Consideration for Role in This Property Is Condemned
In 1966, Alain Delon was considered for a role in Sydney Pollack's This Property Is Condemned.
1967: Roles in 'The Last Adventure' and 'Le Samouraï'
In 1967, Alain Delon starred in 'The Last Adventure' and 'Le Samouraï', both films further cementing his status as a prominent actor.
1967: Le Samouraï Release
In 1967, Alain Delon starred in the acclaimed film "Le Samouraï".
1967: Alain Delon's Jeff Costello in Le Samouraï
Since 1967, Alain Delon’s portrayal of Jeff Costello in Le Samouraï has been a source of inspiration for filmmakers from South Korea to China.
1968: Role in 'The Girl on a Motorcycle'
In 1968, Alain Delon appeared in 'The Girl on a Motorcycle', expanding his range of film roles.
1968: Consideration for Role in The Scavengers
In 1968, Alain Delon was considered for a role in Henri Verneuil's The Scavengers.
1969: Role in 'La Piscine'
In 1969, Alain Delon starred in 'La Piscine', continuing his successful acting career.
1969: Shooting of Jeff
In 1969, Alain Delon was shooting the film Jeff where he met Mireille Darc.
1969: Release of Borsalino
In 1969, Borsalino, starring Alain Delon and Jean-Paul Belmondo, was released, marking their only collaboration. The film tells the story of two gangsters in Marseille in the 1930s.
1969: La Piscine Release
In 1969, the film "La Piscine", starring Alain Delon, was released.
1970: Role in 'Le Cercle Rouge'
In 1970, Alain Delon played a role in 'Le Cercle Rouge', adding another film to his acclaimed career.
1970: Le Cercle Rouge Release
In 1970, Alain Delon starred in the acclaimed film "Le Cercle Rouge".
1972: Role in 'Un flic'
In 1972, Alain Delon starred in the movie 'Un flic'.
1973: Recording of "Paroles, paroles"
In 1973, Alain Delon recorded the spoken part in the popular song "Paroles, paroles", a duet with Dalida.
1973: Abandonment of Dune Adaptation
In 1973, Alejandro Jodorowsky's cinematic adaptation of Dune, with Alain Delon slated to play Duncan Idaho, was abandoned due to financial constraints.
1976: Role in 'Monsieur Klein'
In 1976, Alain Delon starred in 'Monsieur Klein', adding to his list of critically acclaimed film roles.
1976: Monsieur Klein Release
In 1976, Alain Delon starred in the acclaimed film "Monsieur Klein".
1976: Consideration for Role in Taxi Driver
In 1976, Alain Delon was considered for a role in Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver.
1979: James Bond Offer
In 1979, Albert Broccoli offered Alain Delon the role of James Bond, but Delon declined.
1981: Consideration for Role in Escape to Victory
In 1981, Alain Delon was considered for a role in John Huston's Escape to Victory.
1984: Performance in Notre histoire
In 1984, Alain Delon starred in 'Notre histoire', for which he later won the César Award for Best Actor in 1985.
1987: Met Rosalie van Breemen
In 1987, Alain Delon met Dutch model Rosalie van Breemen on the set of the music video for his song "Comme au cinéma" and started a relationship.
1992: Cancellation of Evil Angels Adaptation
In 1992, André Téchiné's planned film adaptation of Pascal Bruckner’s novel Evil Angels, starring Alain Delon and Isabelle Adjani, was cancelled due to disagreements between the actors.
1994: Film adaptation of Interview with the Vampire
In 1994, the film adaptation of Interview with the Vampire started filming, with Brad Pitt ultimately taking on the role of Louis, which Alain Delon was considered for.
2014: Abandonment of Patient Film Project
In 2014, the film project Patient, a drama centered on the Armenian genocide with Delon or Adrien Brody in a leading role, was announced but never materialized.
July 2021: Plans for one more film
In July 2021, during an interview on TV5Monde, his first since having two strokes, Alain Delon announced his plans to act in one more film.
September 2022: Interview with Ukrainian President Zelensky
In September 2022, Alain Delon interviewed Ukrainian President Zelensky as part of a TV5Monde special program on the war in Ukraine titled Face à Zelensky, during which Delon expressed his support for the Ukrainian people.
2022: Invited to Ukraine by Volodymyr Zelenskyy
In 2022, the 86-year-old Alain Delon was invited by Volodymyr Zelenskyy to travel to Ukraine.
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