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.
François Fabien Delon, Alain Delon's father, was born in March 1904.
Fabien Delon, Alain Delon's paternal great-grandfather, died on December 12, 1909, in Figeac (Lot).
Édith Marie Suzanne Arnold, Alain Delon's mother, was born in April 1911.
Maria Minard, Alain Delon's maternal grandmother, died in 1913.
Jean-Marcel Delon, Alain Delon's paternal grandfather, died in 1926 in L'Haÿ-les-Roses.
Alain Delon was born on November 8, 1935. He became a renowned French actor, film producer, screenwriter, singer, and businessman.
In 1939, Alain Delon's parents divorced when he was four years old, leading to significant changes in his family life.
In 1945, while living with a foster family, Alain Delon heard the execution of wartime collaborator Pierre Laval, an event that left a lasting impression.
In 1953, Alain Delon continued his service at the Bormette Signals School after a stint at the Pont-Réan Maritime Training Centre.
In 1956, Alain Delon returned to France after his naval service, facing an uncertain future and disconnecting from his parents.
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.
On April 10, 1958, Alain Delon met Romy Schneider for the first time at Orly airport in Paris to play her male partner in Christine, marking the beginning of a tumultuous relationship.
In 1958, Alain Delon met actress Romy Schneider while co-starring in the film "Christine."
On 20 March 1959, Alain Delon became engaged to actress Romy Schneider, whom he met while co-starring in the film 'Christine'.
Alfred Louis Arnold, Alain Delon's maternal grandfather, died in 1959.
During a 1959 interview on Cinépanorama, Alain Delon expressed his admiration for Jean Marais, stating that he idolized the actor and took him as a model.
In 1959, Alain Delon achieved critical acclaim for his role in the film Women Are Weak, marking an early success in his acting career.
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.
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.
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.
In 1960, the movie 'Plein Soleil' was released.
In 1960, two of Alain Delon's acclaimed films, 'Purple Noon' and 'Rocco and His Brothers', were released.
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.
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 his name on a Rocco and His Brothers poster.
In 1962, Alain Delon starred opposite Monica Vitti in Michelangelo Antonioni's L'Eclisse, which became a major critical success.
In 1962, Alain Delon was critically acclaimed for his role in the film L'Eclisse.
In 1963, Alain Delon appeared in The Devil and the Ten Commandments, an all-star anthology film, alongside Danielle Darrieux.
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".
In 1963, Alain Delon met Francine Canovas, who later became Nathalie Barthélémy, and was also involved in an affair with Marisa Mell.
In 1963, Alain Delon received critical acclaim for his roles in The Leopard and Any Number Can Win.
In 1963, Alain Delon's acclaimed film 'The Leopard' was released.
On 13 August 1964, Alain Delon married Francine Canovas (Nathalie Barthélémy) due to her pregnancy.
On 30 September 1964, Alain Delon's son, Anthony Delon, was born.
In 1964, Alain Delon and Romy Schneider ended their relationship.
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.
In 1964, Alain Delon received critical acclaim for his role 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 to Nathalie Barthélémy.
In 1966, Alain Delon was considered for a role in Sydney Pollack's 'This Property Is Condemned'.
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.
In 1967, Alain Delon filed for divorce from Nathalie Barthélémy.
In 1967, Alain Delon was critically acclaimed for his performances in The Last Adventure and Le Samouraï.
In 1967, Alain Delon's acclaimed film 'Le Samouraï' was released.
In August 1968, Alain Delon met Mireille Darc during the shooting of the film Jeff.
In October 1968, the body of Stefan Marković, Delon's bodyguard, was found. This led to an investigation involving Delon and François Marcantoni and implicated Georges Pompidou.
In 1968, Alain Delon received critical acclaim for his role in The Girl on a Motorcycle.
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'.
In 1968, Alain Delon was considered for a role in Henri Verneuil's 'The Scavengers'.
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'.
On 14 February 1969, Alain Delon and Nathalie Delon divorced.
In 1969, Alain Delon was convicted in absentia by an Italian court and sentenced to four months in jail for assaulting an Italian photographer.
In 1969, Alain Delon was critically acclaimed for his role in La Piscine.
In 1969, Alain Delon's acclaimed film 'La Piscine' was released.
In 1969, Delon and Darc appeared in the movie 'Jeff'.
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'.
In 1969, after de Gaulle's resignation, Alain Delon wrote him a letter expressing his pride in being French because of de Gaulle.
In 1969, while making 'La Piscine,' the body of Delon's bodyguard Stefan Marković was found, leading to the "Marković affair," a scandal involving claims of sex parties and implicating Delon and members of the French government.
In 1970, Alain Delon received critical acclaim for his role in Le Cercle Rouge.
In 1970, Alain Delon's acclaimed film 'Le Cercle Rouge' was released.
In 1970, Delon produced and co-starred in 'Borsalino' opposite Jean-Paul Belmondo. The film was very popular in Europe.
In 1971, Alain Delon appeared opposite Simone Signoret in 'The Widow Couderc'.
In 1971, William Friedkin's 'The French Connection' contained explicit references to 'Le Samouraï' and Alain Delon's character, Jef Costello.
In 1972, Alain Delon was critically acclaimed for his role in Un flic.
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.
In 1972, the Italian comic strip Playcolt, featuring Alain Velon, a billionaire playboy with a Delonian physique, was released.
In 1973, 'Borsalino,' starring Alain Delon and Jean-Paul Belmondo, inspired Robert Redford and Paul Newman to stage 'The Sting'.
In 1973, Alain Delon appeared in the thrillers, 'Traitement de choc' and 'Tony Arzenta'.
In 1973, Alain Delon recorded the spoken part in the popular song "Paroles, paroles", a duet with Dalida.
In 1973, Alain Delon scored a hit duetting with Dalida on the song "Paroles, paroles".
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.
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'.
In 1974, Alain Delon made 'Creezy', produced 'Two Men in Town', and 'Borsalino & Co.'.
In 1974, Alain Delon supported the center-right candidate Valéry Giscard d'Estaing in his successful presidential campaign.
In 1974, Delon starred in the gangster thriller 'Icy Breasts'.
In 1974, Francis Ford Coppola's 'The Conversation' contained explicit references to 'Le Samouraï' and Alain Delon's character, Jef Costello.
In 1975, Delon starred in 'Zorro', 'The Gypsy', and 'Flic Story'.
In 1976, Alain Delon received critical acclaim for his role in Monsieur Klein.
In 1976, Alain Delon was considered for a role in Martin Scorsese's 'Taxi Driver'.
In 1976, Alain Delon's acclaimed film 'Monsieur Klein' was released.
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.
François Fabien Delon, Alain Delon's father, died in September 1977.
In 1977, Delon starred in and produced 'Man in a Hurry', 'Death of a Corrupt Man', and 'Le Gang'.
In 1978, Alain Delon starred in 'Attention, The Kids Are Watching'.
In 1979, Alain Delon was offered the role of James Bond by Albert Broccoli, but he declined.
In 1979, Delon signed with agent Sue Mengers and starred in 'The Concorde ... Airport '79' in a final attempt at Hollywood stardom.
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.
In 1979, the last issue of the Italian comic strip Playcolt, featuring Alain Velon, a billionaire playboy with a Delonian physique, was released.
In 1980, Delon returned to acting in French films, starring in and producing 'The Medic' and 'Three Men to Kill'.
In 1981, Alain Delon supported Valéry Giscard d'Estaing in his failed attempt to be reelected.
In 1981, Alain Delon was considered for a role in John Huston's 'Escape to Victory'.
In 1981, Delon starred in 'Teheran 43' with Claude Jade and Curd Jürgens. He also appeared in 'For a Cop's Hide'.
In 1982, Alain Delon appeared in 'Le Choc' opposite Catherine Deneuve.
In 1982, Alain Delon's relationship with Mireille Darc ended.
In 1982, the Bulgarian rock band Shturtsite adapted a poem into a hit song called "Alain Delon," comparing the actor to a balloon.
In 1983, Alain Delon collaborated with Shirley Bassey on the song "Thought I'd Ring You".
In 1983, Delon starred in 'Le Battant'.
In 1984, Alain Delon delivered a performance in Notre histoire, which led to him winning the César Award for Best Actor in 1985.
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'.
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 gained popularity in Hong Kong after actor Chow Yun-fat wore them in the film 'A Better Tomorrow'.
In 1986, Delon starred in 'Parole de flic'.
In 1986, a still shot of Alain Delon in 'The Unvanquished' appeared on the cover of The Smiths' album 'The Queen Is Dead', with his approval.
In 1987, Alain Delon met Rosalie van Breemen on the set of his music video and started a relationship.
In 1988, Alain Delon gave his support to Raymond Barre.
In 1988, Delon starred in 'Let Sleeping Cops Lie'.
On 25 November 1990, Alain Delon's daughter, Anouchka Delon, was born.
In 1990, Delon starred in 'Dancing Machine'. Also in 1990, he played twins in Jean-Luc Godard's 'Nouvelle Vague'.
In 1991, Alain Delon became a member of France's Legion of Honour, a prestigious recognition of his contributions.
On 18 March 1994, Alain Delon's son, Alain-Fabien Delon, was born.
In 1994, Robert Evans paid tribute to Alain Delon in his memoirs, "The Kid Stays in the Picture", considering him as his 'brother in life as in cinema' and 'the most beautiful actor in Europe'.
Édith Marie Suzanne Arnold, Alain Delon's mother, died in June 1995.
In 1997, Alain Delon announced his decision to give up acting.
In 1998, Alain Delon's last major role was in 'Une chance sur deux', alongside Jean-Paul Belmondo.
In 1999, Alain Delon acquired Swiss citizenship, marking a change in his nationality.
In 1999, Delon acquired Swiss citizenship.
In 2001, Alain Delon's relationship with Rosalie van Breemen ended.
In 2001, Delon starred in the French television drama 'Fabio Montale', which was a big hit.
In 2003, Delon produced and starred in another French television police drama, 'Frank Riva'.
In 2007, Alain Delon gave his support to Nicolas Sarkozy.
In 2008, Alain Delon directed a TV movie titled 'Love Letters', co-starring Anouk Aimée.
In 2008, Alain Delon starred as Julius Caesar in the film 'Asterix aux jeux Olympiques', co-starring Gérard Depardieu.
In 2009, Alain Delon admitted his regret at not marrying Romy Schneider.
In 2009, Guillaume Delorme played Alain Delon in the German TV movie 'Romy'.
In 2010, Emma Daumas paid tribute to Alain Delon in her song "Dans les yeux d'Alain Delon", on her E.P. Acoustic.
In 2010, the play inspired by Alain Delon's career, 'Alain Delon or almost', was revived in a new version titled 'Alain Delon... and me'.
In 2011, Alain Delon starred in the television movie 'Une journée ordinaire'.
In 2012, Alain Delon appeared as himself in the Russian production 'S Novym godom, Mamy!'.
During an interview in 2013, Alain Delon expressed sympathy for the French far-right National Front's electoral successes.
In 2015, Michaël Sanlaville, inspired by Alain Delon, based the character of San-Antonio on Delon's image for his comic book adaptation.
In 2017, Alain Delon endorsed the Gaullist candidate François Fillon, but did not vote in the second run-off.
In November 2018, Alain Delon's planned movie 'La Maison Vide', co-starring Juliette Binoche, was canceled.
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 April 2019, at 83, Alain Delon released a new single, "Je n'aime que toi".
In June 2019, Alain Delon suffered a stroke and was admitted to hospital.
In August 2019, Alain Delon was recovering in a Swiss hospital after suffering a stroke.
At the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, Alain Delon received the Honorary Palme d'Or, celebrating his significant contributions to cinema.
In 2019, Alain Delon appeared as himself in the movie 'Toute Ressemblance'.
In 2019, Alain Delon underwent cognitive tests after suffering a severe stroke.
In 2020, Alexandre Chabert's 'Schnock (no. 37)' was published, distributed by Flammarion.
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.
In a 2021 interview with Paris Match, Alain Delon expressed support for euthanasia.
In September 2022, Alain Delon began experimental treatment for a slow-progressing lymphoma.
In September 2022, Alain Delon interviewed Ukrainian President Zelensky on TV5Monde, expressing his support for the Ukrainian people.
In 2022, 'The Markovic Affair' by Jean-Yves Le Naour and Emmanuel Cassier, was published.
In 2022, Alain Delon endorsed Valérie Pécresse, calling her "the only woman he wants to be president".
In 2022, Alain Delon underwent cognitive tests after suffering a severe stroke.
In 2022, Alain Delon's son Anthony revealed that Alain Delon wanted to be removed from life support if he were to succumb to a coma, and had asked Anthony to fulfill his request.
In 2022, the 86-year-old Alain Delon was invited by Volodymyr Zelenskyy to travel to Ukraine.
In July 2023, Alain Delon's three children filed a complaint against Hiromi Rollin, alleging psychological harassment, animal cruelty, and other offenses. Rollin disputed the allegations and planned to file a counter-complaint. The prosecutor dismissed both complaints due to insufficiently characterized offenses.
In 2023, Alain Delon's three children made the decision to stop his experimental treatment for lymphoma.
In mid-2023, Alain Delon's children united to successfully evict his former companion Hiromi Rollin, accusing her of abuse.
In January 2024, Alain Delon filed a complaint against his son Anthony after an interview about his health. Anthony accused Anouchka of manipulation. Anouchka accused her brothers of endangering their father's life and plans to sue for defamation. The family feud became public.
In January 2024, it was reported that Alain Delon was in poor health and living a reclusive lifestyle. A public feud arose between his children regarding his health and cognitive test results.
On 26 February 2024, police raided Alain Delon's home and seized 72 firearms and 3,000 rounds of ammunition. Delon was not authorised to own a firearm.
On 29 March 2024, Anouchka Delon sued her brothers for invasion of privacy after they broadcasted a recording of a conversation between her and her father.
In April 2024, Alain Delon, weakened by cancer, was placed under reinforced guardianship following a court hearing. This measure granted the curator power to manage his expenses, after being placed under guardianship since January 25th.
Alain Delon died on August 18, 2024. He was a French actor, film producer, screenwriter, singer, and businessman.
Alain Delon died peacefully on 18 August 2024 at his home in Douchy, surrounded by family members, at the age of 88. He had been diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma earlier in the year.
On 24 August 2024, Alain Delon was buried in a private chapel on the Brûlerie estate in Douchy, near his dogs, as he wished.
The day after his death, in August 2024, Alain Delon's death made headlines worldwide, with foreign press referring to him as "the last great myth of French cinema".
In October 2024, the Paris Council voted on a proposal to name a street or facility in the capital in honor of Alain Delon.
During the opening ceremony of the 2024 Venice Film Festival, images of Gena Rowlands, Roberto Herlitzka, and Alain Delon were projected in tribute.
The 2024 Angoulême Francophone Film Festival changed its programming to screen "Notre histoire" by Bertrand Blier following Alain Delon's death.
The 2024 Lumière Festival concluded with a screening of "Plein Soleil" and a speech by Anthony Delon, who recounted his father's career.
The trial date is set for April 2025 regarding Anouchka Delon's lawsuit against her brothers for invasion of privacy.
Based on number of admissions, Alain Delon is the 10th most popular actor in France in 2025.