Alain Delon, who starred in some of French cinema’s biggest hits and was known worldwide for his good looks, has died at the age of 88.

The actor’s children, Alain Fabien, Anouchka and Anthony Delon, announced the news in a statement to AFP on Sunday morning.

“He passed away peacefully at his home in Douchy,” the statement said. “His family asks you to respect his privacy in this extremely painful moment of grief,” they wrote.

French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to Delon on Sunday, calling him not only a legendary actor but also a “monument.”

“Alain Delon played legendary roles and made the world dream. He lent his unforgettable face to turn our lives upside down,” Macron wrote on X. “Melancholic, popular, mysterious, he was more than a star: he was a French monument.”

Described as the “sacred monster” of French cinema, Delon appeared in 88 films and seven television films, produced and directed dozens of feature films, and acted in seven plays during his illustrious career, which began at the age of 23.

The cult classics that made him a world-famous actor include “Plein Soleil”, “Rocco and His Brothers”, “The Leopard”, “Mélodie en sous-sol”, “The Samouraï”, “La Piscine” and “Monsieur Klein”.

His “devilish beauty” made him a heartthrob for many, while his numerous romances with Romy Schneider, Brigitte Bardot and Dalida were closely examined by the press.