Alain Delon passed away at the age of 88 at his estate at Douchy, Paris after a period of illness, surrounded by his family. He was widely recognized in Italy for his collaborations with renowned directors such as Luchino Visconti and Michelangelo Antonioni. Delon worked with Visconti three times, and he credited Visconti as one of the most important influences on his acting career. Visconti cast him in "Rocco and His Brothers" and "Plein Soleil" in 1960, which contributed to Delon's rise to stardom. Additionally, Delon portrayed Tancredi in Visconti's masterpiece "The Leopard" three years later. During this time, Visconti also directed Delon and his then-fiancée, Romy Schneider, in a 1961 Paris stage production of John Ford's play 'Tis Pity She's a Whore.(Dommage qu'elle soit une putain, in French).
His Italian co-stars included Claudia Cardinale, Monica Vitti, Sophia Loren, Virna Lisi, Ornella Muti among many. They all farewelled him with beautiful statements: Sophia Loren: " Ti vorrò sempre bene, ciao Alain"; and from Claudia Cardinale his co-star of "Il Gattopardo": Il ballo è finito. Tancredi è salito a ballare con le stelle. Per sempre tua, Angelica."
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