Happy 74th birthday today to one of the most gorgeous men ever to grace a cinema screen - Alain Delon. One tends to run out of adjectives when describing this man - smouldering, sultry, seductive - he could read the telephone directory in French with that sexy voice and I would be happy!
M. Delon rose to superstardom in France in the 1950s, amid comparisons to James Dean and other Hollywood heartthrobs, and worked with the top producers and directors of his day such as Yves Allégret, Luchino Visconti, Jean-Pierre Melville and René Clément before founding his own production company. Movies such as The Leopard, Plein Soleil, Un Flic, Le Cercle Rouge and Le Samouraï brought him international fame and accolades.
Unsurprisingly his Gallic charm led to many relationships with beautiful women, including Bridget Bardot, Romy Schneider, Nathalie Barthélemy, Mireille Darc, Rosalie van Breemen (and many more, such as co-star Monica Vitti, if rumours are to be believed). He also recorded several songs over the years, including duets with superstars such as Dalida and Shirley Bassey. Despite officially retiring from the big screen he is still in demand, and occasionally makes an appearance on TV or in voice-overs (including the big-screen version of Asterix last year). And despite his age he is still sexy!
Little-known facts about Alain Delon:
- He was the first actor to play (The Talented Mr) Ripley, in the 1960 film Purple Noon.
- He had an affair with the legendary chanteuse Nico, and despite denying the fact, it was later proven that her baby was indeed his.
- His friendship with the Corsican Mafia led to a major scandal when one of his bodyguards was murdered and his body was discovered in Delon's rubbish bin.
- The Delon name has become a brand in its own right, on a range of products including cologne, wristwatches, clothing, eyewear, stationery and cigarettes.
- In 1999, he turned his back on France and his cinematic career and is now a Swiss citizen.
Alain Delon in IMDB
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