French actor Alain Delon has died at the age of 88 from the effects of a serious illness, his family announced.

The star was known for his roles in films such as “Purple Sullivan” (1960), “The Leopard” (1963) and “The Cold Samurai” (1967).

A family statement said: “It is with deep sadness that Alain Fabien, Anouchka, Anthony and (his dog) Loubo announce the death of their father.

“He died peacefully in his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and his family.”

Delon died “very early in the middle of the night,” the statement said.

Because of his striking blue eyes, Delon was sometimes called the “French Frank Sinatra” due to his attractive appearance – a comparison that Delon did not like.

Directors ranging from Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino to Hong Kong’s John Woo have acknowledged the importance of Delon’s portrayal of the silent assassin in Jean-Pierre Melville’s Stone Cold Hero, which served as the template for one of Hollywood’s most beloved cliches: the mysterious, intellectual assassin.

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