From unforgettable fame to who they are today — the full story, with rare photos.
The Face Everyone Knew
Alain Fabien Maurice Marcel Delon was a French actor, film producer, screenwriter, singer, and businessman. Acknowledged as a cultural and cinematic leading man of the 20th century, Delon emerged as one of the foremost European actors of the late 1950s to the late 1980s, and became an international sex symbol. He is regarded as one of the most well-known figures in French cinema. His style, looks, and roles, which made him an international icon, earned him enduring popularity.
Rise to Stardom
Delon achieved critical acclaim for his roles in films such as Women Are Weak , Purple Noon , Rocco and His Brothers , L’Eclisse , The Leopard , Any Number Can Win , The Black Tulip , The Last Adventure , Le Samouraï , The Girl on a Motorcycle , La Piscine , Le Cercle Rouge , Un flic , and Monsieur Klein . Over the course of his career, Delon worked with many directors, including Luchino Visconti, Jean-Luc Godard, Jean-Pierre Melville, Michelangelo Antonioni, Louis Malle, Agnès Varda, and Joseph Losey.
Life at the Top
Delon received many film and entertainment awards throughout his career. In 1985, he won the César Award for Best Actor for his performance in Notre histoire . In 1991, he became a member of France’s Legion of Honour. At the 45th Berlin International Film Festival, he won the Honorary Golden Bear. At the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, he received the Honorary Palme d’Or.
Behind the Fame
In addition to his acting career, Delon also recorded the spoken part in the popular 1973 song “Paroles, paroles”, a duet with Dalida as the main singing voice. He acquired Swiss citizenship in 1999.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons (public domain / Creative Commons).