Jean-Paul Belmondo died on September 6 in his Parisian home at the age of 88. His lawyer, Michel Godest, made the information public via the AFP agency, explaining that the actor “had been very tired for some time, he quietly died“. Thus died one of the sacred monsters of French cinema, at the age of 88. An event that plunged France into mourning, evidenced by the many tributes that followed, barely an hour after the announcement of his death.
French cinema in mourning
On the front line, we obviously find the world of French cinema. Claude Lelouch, who worked for a long time with Jean-Paul Belmondo, was very moved. “He was in life as in his films. He was a hero both in front of and behind the camera“, He remembered. Alain Delon, who appeared in several films alongside Belmondo, said Monday on CNews “completely destroyed». «Now I’m going to try to hang in there so as not to do the same thing in five hours… Mind you, it wouldn’t be bad if we both left together. It’s a part of my life, we started together 60 years ago“, he added. His son, Anthony Delon, also immediately spoke, on Instagram in this case. “Goodbye the magnificent. I am upset. A man of great valueHe writes.
Other actors also spoke, like Michel Boujenah on RTL. “I am very sad but we must not be because he could not have supported (…) I am inconsolable», He declares. “An extraordinary legend is leaving… We think of you, dear Jean Paul, you will always be missed», Wrote Michel Leeb on Instagram. Ditto for Michèle Laroque who has “difficult to accept the departure of such a legend whose talent was matched only by his kindness». «Our man from Rio“, Added Vincent Cassel in reference to the film” The Man from Rio “. “I am overwhelmed by the disappearance of Jean-Paul», Reacted for its part the actress Claudia Cardinale. “It was and will remain for me as for so many others, the very image of vitality. It will never stop moving in my heart and in my memory».
Difficult to accept the departure of such a legend whose talent was matched only by his kindness.
All my thoughts for her children and loved ones⭐️ https://t.co/mUZHBm7smn– Michèle Laroque (@MicheleLaroque) September 6, 2021
Same tone on the side of the general delegate of the Cannes festival, Thierry Frémaux. “His generosity as a man and an actor invented some of the greatest moments in the history of cinema“, He wrote via the festival’s Twitter account. The Venice Film Festival, which will start in a few days, also paid tribute to the actor, recognized as a “icon of French and international cinema, and first extraordinary interpreter of the spirit of modernity specific to the New Wave».
Other major media figures have also reacted, such as host Nikos Aliagas. “Be in peace the magnificent», He wishes him. “It was the tallest. I mourn his departure. We will miss him“, For his part wrote Cyril Hanouna.
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Be in peace the magnificent … #ripbebel pic.twitter.com/yhz1nSaKoH
– Nikos Aliagas (@nikosaliagas) September 6, 2021
Sport and politics also mobilized
The world of sport has also paid tribute to Jean-Paul Belmondo, a boxing fan in particular. “He is a great character in French cinema. And also, and a lot of people don’t know it, a great figure in boxing in France. He did a lot for boxing and a lot for me», Declares boxer Tony Yoka to RMC. Roland-Garros says to itself “orphan of one of his most faithful lovers»And one of the founders of PSG was very moved. “I just found out five minutes ago, it cut my legs. He was a fantastic person“, He confides, while specifying that Jean-Paul Belmondo was close to the founders of the Parisian club.
We are sad to learn of the disappearance of Jean-Paul Belmondo, a great actor. Roland-Garros is the orphan of one of his most faithful lovers.
Roland-Garros and the FFT send their most sincere condolences to their family. pic.twitter.com/Rn7DImGjVt— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) September 6, 2021
On the political side, tributes are not lacking either, with first and foremost that of the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron, directly after the announcement of the death of the actor. “Jean-Paul Belmondo was a national treasureHe wrote on Twitter. “In him we all found ourselves».
He will forever remain The Magnificent. Jean-Paul Belmondo was a national treasure, full of panache and bursts of laughter, with loud words and swift body, sublime hero and familiar figure, tireless daredevil and magician of words. In him we all found ourselves. pic.twitter.com/4CVI9uwKLA
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 6, 2021
Many other political figures have come forward. “A giant is gone», Declares the socialist mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo. “Thank you for these fabulous memories that will have marked so many generations“. Prime Minister Jean Castex just wrote “The magnificentWhile other government ministers also spoke on Twitter. The president of the Hauts-de-France region Xavier Bertrand did the same, as did Marine Le Pen, the president of the Île-de-France region Valérie Pécresse, the right-wing party MP LR Éric Ciotti, or the ecologist Yannick Jadot.
A giant is gone. Leading actor of the New Wave, popular hero in the films of Gérard Oury or Georges Lautner, immense Cyrano at the theater: Jean-Paul Belmondo was all of these at the same time. Thank you for these fabulous memories which will have marked so many generations. pic.twitter.com/2dcR5cAHuG
– Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) September 6, 2021
Television changes its grid
Namely that some television channels will modify their programs to pay tribute to Jean-Paul Belmondo. This is the case of TF1 which will not broadcast the mini-series “A perfect mother” this evening, but the film “Itinerary of a spoiled child”, followed by the documentary “Belmondo by Belmondo”. W9, a channel often unavailable in Belgium, announces for its part that it has chosen the feature film “Flic ou voyou”, followed by a documentary on the actor, “Belmondo, route…”. On the other side of Quiévrain, Belgian viewers will be able to see the same film on Club RTL, preceded by “The Man from Rio”.
France is losing a huge player, a giant of culture and the arts.
In homage to Jean-Paul #Belmondo, we invite you to see or review “Itinerary of a spoiled child” this evening at 21:05 pic.twitter.com/xMYGaAO1vo– TF1 (@ TF1) September 6, 2021
For those who miss the appointment, Arte will rebroadcast this Thursday “The Man from Rio” while on Sunday, viewers will be able to watch “The Animal”, broadcast long planned by C8. France Télévisions declares that “our branches are now deploying a large-scale system in tribute to his exceptional career», Without further clarification.
France Télévisions salutes the memory of Jean-Paul Belmondo, sacred monster of French cinema.
A key actor, Bebel had played in nearly 80 films.
Our branches are now deploying a large-scale system in tribute to his exceptional career. pic.twitter.com/4KpSY1yJt5
– France Televisions (@Francetele) September 6, 2021
