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.
François Fabien Delon, Alain Delon's father, was born on March 12, 1904, in Craponne-sur-Arzon. He worked as a projectionist and later as the director of the cinema Le Régina in Bourg-la-Reine.
Fabien Delon, Alain Delon's paternal great-grandfather, passed away on December 12, 1909, in Figeac, Lot. He was a civil engineer and a member of the Legion of Honour.
Édith Marie Suzanne Arnold, Alain Delon's mother, was born on April 19, 1911.
Maria Minard, Alain Delon's maternal grandmother and a model for Jeanne Lanvin, passed away in 1913.
Jean-Marcel Delon, Alain Delon's paternal grandfather, passed away in 1926 in L'Haÿ-les-Roses. He was a tax collector who had been appointed in Corsica in 1886.
On November 8, 1935, Alain Fabien Maurice Marcel Delon was born in Sceaux, a suburb of Paris. He later became a renowned French actor, film producer, screenwriter, singer, and businessman.
In 1939, when Alain Delon was four years old, his parents divorced. He was then entrusted to a foster family.
In 1945, while living with his foster family near Fresnes Prison, Alain Delon heard the salvo that executed wartime collaborator Pierre Laval.
In 1946, following the death of his foster parents, Alain Delon was sent back to his birth parents, who shared custody of him. He was later placed in a Catholic boarding school.
In 1953, Alain Delon continued his French Navy service at the Bormette Signals School after a stint at the Pont-Réan Maritime Training Centre. He faced disciplinary action for stealing equipment.
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.
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.
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.
In 1958, Alain Delon co-starred with Romy Schneider in the film Christine, marking the beginning of their relationship.
On March 20, 1959, Alain Delon became engaged to actress Romy Schneider, after they met while co-starring in the 1958 film Christine. The couple was nicknamed "les amants magnifiques".
Alfred Louis Arnold, Alain Delon's maternal grandfather, died in 1959. He was a rider in the French army and gendarme.
In 1959, Alain Delon received critical acclaim for his role in the film 'Women Are Weak', marking an early success in his career.
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.
In a 1959 interview aired on Cinépanorama during the filming of 'Rocco and His Brothers', Alain Delon expressed his admiration for Jean Marais, stating that he idolized the actor and sought to emulate his simplicity.
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.
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.
In 1960, Plein Soleil was released.
In 1960, two of Alain Delon's most acclaimed films, "Purple Noon" and "Rocco and His Brothers", were released.
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'.
In 1961, Alain Delon was considered for a role in Joshua Logan's Fanny.
In 1961, Alain Delon's younger brother, Jean-François Delon, reconnected with him after seeing Alain's name on a 'Rocco and His Brothers' poster. This marked the first contact between Alain and his family since his naval service.
In 1962, Alain Delon starred in another acclaimed film, "L'Eclisse".
In 1962, Alain Delon starred in the film 'L'Eclisse', directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, adding to his repertoire of critically acclaimed performances.
In 1963, "The Leopard", one of Alain Delon's most acclaimed films, was released.
In 1963, Alain Delon appeared in another all-star anthology film, The Devil and the Ten Commandments, alongside Danielle Darrieux.
In 1963, Alain Delon met Francine Canovas (Nathalie Barthélémy), a model.
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.
In 1963, Alain Delon starred in 'The Leopard' and 'Any Number Can Win', both of which contributed to his growing international recognition.
On August 13, 1964, Alain Delon married Francine Canovas, known as Nathalie Barthélémy, due to her pregnancy, and she took the name Nathalie Delon.
On September 30, 1964, Alain Delon's son, Anthony Delon, was born to Nathalie Delon.
In October 1964, Alain Delon met Ratna Sari Dewi at the Tokyo Olympics, and the two began a relationship.
In 1964, Alain Delon and Romy Schneider ended their relationship.
In 1964, Alain Delon starred in 'The Black Tulip', adding another notable film to his career.
In 1965, Alain Delon claimed that "no one else has tried it since and made money" after using the "Delon's method" in 1963.
In 1965, Alain Delon was considered for a role in Tony Richardson's The Loved One.
In 1965, Alain Delon's liaison with Marisa Mell continued even after his marriage in 1964.
In 1966, Alain Delon was considered for a role in Sydney Pollack's This Property Is Condemned.
In 1967, Alain Delon met Ratna Sari Dewi in Paris, the two remained close in the following years.
In 1967, Alain Delon starred in 'The Last Adventure' and 'Le Samouraï', both films further cementing his status as a prominent actor.
In 1967, Alain Delon starred in the acclaimed film "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.
In August 1968, Alain Delon met French actress Mireille Darc during the shooting of the film Jeff, and they started a relationship that lasted until 1982.
In October 1968, the body of Stefan Marković, Alain Delon's bodyguard, was found in Élancourt, Yvelines. Alain Delon and François Marcantoni were investigated, partly due to a letter from Marković implicating them in the event of his death. The investigation involved former French Prime Minister Georges Pompidou.
In 1968, Alain Delon appeared in 'The Girl on a Motorcycle', expanding his range of film roles.
In 1968, Alain Delon was considered for a role in Henri Verneuil's The Scavengers.
On February 14, 1969, Alain Delon and Nathalie Delon divorced.
In 1969, Alain Delon starred in 'La Piscine', continuing his successful acting career.
In 1969, Alain Delon was convicted in absentia and sentenced to four months in jail by an Italian court for assaulting an Italian photographer.
In 1969, Alain Delon was shooting the film Jeff where he met Mireille Darc.
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.
In 1969, after Charles de Gaulle resigned from the French presidency, Alain Delon wrote him a letter expressing his pride in being French and a sense of shame at the referendum result.
In 1969, the film "La Piscine", starring Alain Delon, was released.
In 1970, Alain Delon played a role in 'Le Cercle Rouge', adding another film to his acclaimed career.
In 1970, Alain Delon starred in the acclaimed film "Le Cercle Rouge".
In 1971, William Friedkin's The French Connection contained explicit references to Le Samouraï.
In 1972, Alain Delon starred in the movie 'Un flic'.
In 1972, the Italian comic strip Playcolt started publication, featuring Alain Velon, a character based on Alain Delon.
In 1973, Alain Delon recorded the spoken part in the popular song "Paroles, paroles", a duet with Dalida.
In 1973, Alejandro Jodorowsky's cinematic adaptation of Dune, with Alain Delon slated to play Duncan Idaho, was abandoned due to financial constraints.
In 1973, Borsalino inspired Robert Redford and Paul Newman to stage The Sting.
In 1974, Alain Delon supported the center-right candidate Valéry Giscard d'Estaing in his successful presidential campaign.
In 1974, Francis Ford Coppola's The Conversation contained explicit references to Le Samouraï and the character of Jef Costello.
In 1976, Alain Delon starred in 'Monsieur Klein', adding to his list of critically acclaimed film roles.
In 1976, Alain Delon starred in the acclaimed film "Monsieur Klein".
In 1976, Alain Delon was considered for a role in Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver.
François Fabien Delon, Alain Delon's father, passed away on September 17, 1977, in Le Kremlin-Bicêtre.
In 1979, Albert Broccoli offered Alain Delon the role of James Bond, but Delon declined.
In 1979, the Italian comic strip Playcolt ended its publication after 128 issues across four series, featuring Alain Velon, a character based on Alain Delon.
In 1981, Alain Delon supported Valéry Giscard d'Estaing again in his failed attempt to be reelected.
In 1981, Alain Delon was considered for a role in John Huston's Escape to Victory.
In 1982, Alain Delon and Mireille Darc ended their relationship.
In 1982, the Bulgarian rock band Shturtsite adapted Georgi Konstantinov's poem Момичето със син балон (The Girl with the Blue Balloon) into a song called Ален Делон (Alain Delon), comparing the actor to a balloon that will burst.
In 1984, Alain Delon starred in 'Notre histoire', for which he later won the César Award for Best Actor in 1985.
In 1985, Alain Delon won the César Award for Best Actor for his performance in 'Notre histoire' (1984).
In 1986, Alain Delon's brand of sunglasses became popular in Hong Kong after actor Chow Yun-fat wore them in the crime film A Better Tomorrow, as well as two sequels. Delon thanked Chow for helping to sell the sunglasses in Hong Kong and China.
In 1986, a still shot of Alain Delon in The Unvanquished appeared on the cover of the album The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths, with his permission.
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.
In 1988, Alain Delon gave his support to Raymond Barre.
On November 25, 1990, Alain Delon's daughter, Anouchka Delon, was born.
In 1991, Alain Delon became a member of France's Legion of Honour, recognizing his contributions and achievements.
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.
On March 18, 1994, Alain Delon's son, Alain-Fabien Delon, was born.
In 1994, American producer Robert Evans paid tribute to Alain Delon in his memoirs The Kid Stays in the Picture – Hyperion Books, considering him as his "brother in life as in cinema" and "the most beautiful actor in Europe".
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.
Édith Marie Suzanne Arnold, Alain Delon's mother, passed away on June 20, 1995, in Jouy-en-Josas.
In 1999, Alain Delon acquired Swiss citizenship.
In 2001, Alain Delon and Rosalie van Breemen ended their relationship.
In July 2007, the play Alain Delon or almost, inspired by Alain Delon's career and the world of Jean-Pierre Melville, premiered at the Avignon Festival.
In 2007, Alain Delon gave his support to Nicolas Sarkozy.
In 2009, Alain Delon admitted his regret at not marrying Romy Schneider.
In 2009, Christian Dior used images of the young Alain Delon and excerpts of his 1960s film The Swimming Pool in the Eau Sauvage cologne advertising campaigns.
In 2009, Guillaume Delorme portrayed Alain Delon in the German TV movie Romy, which retold his love story with Romy Schneider.
In 2010, Emma Daumas paid tribute to Alain Delon in the song Dans les yeux d'Alain Delon, on her E.P. Acoustic.
In 2010, the play Alain Delon or almost was revived in a new version titled Alain Delon... and me.
In 2013, Alain Delon expressed sympathy for the French far-right National Front's electoral successes.
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.
In 2015, Christian Dior used images of the young Alain Delon and excerpts of his 1960s film The Last Adventure in the Eau Sauvage cologne advertising campaigns.
In 2015, Michaël Sanlaville, inspired by Frédéric Dard's novels, chose to base the comic book character San-Antonio on the image of Alain Delon.
In 2017, Alain Delon endorsed the Gaullist candidate François Fillon, and did not vote in the second run-off between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen.
In 2018, Alain Delon denied having ever voted for Marine Le Pen.
In 2018, Alain Delon referred to Romy Schneider as the love of his life.
In June 2019, Alain Delon suffered a stroke and was admitted to hospital after experiencing dizziness and headaches.
In August 2019, Alain Delon was recovering in a Swiss hospital following his stroke.
At the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, Alain Delon received the Honorary Palme d'Or, celebrating his significant impact on cinema.
In 2019, after suffering a stroke, Alain Delon underwent five cognitive tests between 2019 and 2022, the results of which were allegedly concealed from the family according to his son, Anthony.
In 2020, Alexandre Chabert's "Schnock (no. 37)", La Tengo, distributed by Flammarion, was released.
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.
In 2021, Alain Delon expressed support for euthanasia, calling it "the most logical and natural thing".
In September 2022, Alain Delon began experimental treatment for a slow-progressing lymphoma.
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.
In 2022, "The Markovic Affair", a book by Jean-Yves Le Naour and illustrated by Emmanuel Cassier, was released by Bamboo.
In 2022, Alain Delon endorsed Valérie Pécresse, calling her "the only woman he wants to be president".
In 2022, Alain Delon underwent five cognitive tests between 2019 and 2022, the results of which were allegedly concealed from the family according to his son, Anthony.
In 2022, Alain Delon's son Anthony revealed that Alain wished to be removed from life support if he were to succumb to a coma, and had asked Anthony to fulfill his request. Shortly thereafter, some news organizations reported that Delon was planning to imminently end his life through euthanasia, but the reports were adamantly denied by his son, Alain-Fabien.
In 2022, the 86-year-old Alain Delon was invited by Volodymyr Zelenskyy to travel to Ukraine.
In July 2023, Alain Delon's children filed a complaint against Hiromi Rollin, alleging psychological harassment, interception of correspondence, animal cruelty, intentional violence, unlawful confinement, and abuse of weakness. A preliminary investigation was opened. Hiromi Rollin disputed the allegations and planned to file a complaint against the Delon family. Ultimately, the complaints were dismissed due to insufficiently characterized offenses, but further legal actions were anticipated.
In mid-2023, Alain Delon's children united to successfully evict his former companion Hiromi Rollin, accusing her of abusing their father.
In the summer of 2023, Alain Delon's three children made the decision to stop his experimental lymphoma treatment because it was weakening him.
In January 2024, Alain Delon filed a complaint against his son Anthony following an interview in Paris Match magazine where Anthony discussed his father's health and accused Anouchka of inheritance manipulation. Anthony also filed a police report against Anouchka for not sharing negative cognitive test results of their father.
In January 2024, Alain Delon was reported to be in poor health, living a reclusive life at his estate. A public feud erupted between his children regarding his health, with accusations of lying and manipulation surrounding his cognitive tests.
On February 26, 2024, police raided Alain Delon's home and seized 72 firearms and 3,000 rounds of ammunition, as he was not authorized to own a firearm.
On March 29, 2024, Anouchka Delon sued her brothers for invasion of privacy after a recording of a conversation between her and her father was broadcast on Instagram in January 2024. The trial date is set for April 2025.
In April 2024, Alain Delon was placed under reinforced guardianship by judicial decision, following a hearing at the Montargis court. This measure follows a period during which Delon had already been placed under guardianship since January 25, granting the curator the power to manage his expenses.
Alain Delon passed away on August 18, 2024, at the age of 88 at his home in Douchy, surrounded by family, after being diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma earlier in the year. Before his death, he expressed a wish to have his dog euthanized and buried with him, a wish that was ultimately not fulfilled by his family.
In August 2024, Alain Delon's death made headlines globally, with foreign press calling him "the last great myth of French Cinema." Tributes highlighted his intense acting and the beauty he represented in the 1960s. Plus belle la vie paid tribute to him in episode 153 on August 22, 2024, referencing the police series Fabio Montale.
On August 24, 2024, Alain Delon was buried in a private chapel on his estate in Douchy, as per his wishes, near his thirty-five dogs. Around fifty guests, including his children, attended the ceremony officiated by Catholic bishop Jean-Michel Di Falco.
In October 2024, the Paris Council voted on a proposal to honor Alain Delon with a street or facility named after him, including a plaque on the Normandie building on the Champs-Élysées.
From December 16, 2024, a retrospective in Hanoi, Vietnam, titled 'Remember Alain Delon', began showcasing three of his films: Red Sun, The Red Circle, and Plein Soleil.
During the opening ceremony of the 2024 Venice Film Festival, images of Alain Delon, along with Gena Rowlands and Roberto Herlitzka, were projected in tribute.
Following Alain Delon's death, the 2024 Angoulême Francophone Film Festival screened Notre histoire by Bertrand Blier as a tribute. The 2024 Lumière Festival concluded with a screening of Plein Soleil (1960) and a speech by Anthony Delon recounting his father's career.
The retrospective 'Remember Alain Delon' in Hanoi, Vietnam, concluded on January 16, 2025, after showcasing three of his films: Red Sun, The Red Circle, and Plein Soleil.
The trial date is set for April 2025 for Anouchka Delon's lawsuit against her brothers for invasion of privacy.
Based on admissions, Alain Delon is the 10th most popular actor in France in 2025, with a total of 136 million admissions.
In 2025, Alain Delon was featured in the In Memoriam segments of the BAFTA and SAG Awards ceremonies. However, his absence from the Oscars tribute caused incomprehension in France and internationally. A tribute was paid to him at the opening of the 50th César Awards.
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