Gaspard Ulliel, the French actor, passed away on Wednesday after meeting with an accident while skiing in the Savoie region of France. He was 37.
Ulliel’s family confirmed his death to AFP. He was reportedly skiing in the Alps on Tuesday, and after colliding with another person, suffered from severe brain trauma. He was airlifted to a hospital in Grenoble, where he passed away the following day.
The actor had recently joined the cast of Marvel’s upcoming series, Moon Knight. He died just a day after Marvel released the show’s trailer online. The late actor essayed the role of Anton Mogart also known as the ‘Midnight Man’.
Born on November 25, 1984, Ulliel started performing at the age of 11, in television and drama. He earned two César Award nominations in 2002 and 2003 for the films, Summer Things and Strayed, respectively. Subsequently, he won his first César Award in 2004 for the film A Very Long Engagement. His role in the World War I drama won him the Most Promising Actor award.
Ulliel went on to achieve international acclaim with the 2007 psychological horror film, Hannibal Rising. He played the younger version of Hannibal Lector in the film, which also marked his English-language debut. In 2014, he starred in the biopic Saint Laurent, portraying the French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. This earned him a Lumières Award for Best Actor, as well as another César nomination.
He proceeded to win his second César Award for Best Actor in 2017 for his role in the drama film, It’s Only the End of the World.
Ulliel was bitten by a dog as a child and it left a scar on his face that he later said helped him, professionally and personally, as it looked like a dimple.
Apart from working in films, Ulliel was also a model. He was the face of French luxury brand Chanel, specifically its perfume line for men.
He is survived by partner and singer Gaelle Pietri and their son.
Several dignitaries and artists shared their tributes in remembrance of the late actor.
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France’s culture minister Roselyne Bachelot spoke on a French television news channel and said, “Such a brilliant actor who was reaped by the sickle of death at the peak of his career. For almost 20 years, he was present in our lives with magnificent performances.”
Thierry Fremaux, director of the Cannes Film Festival, told Variety, “Gaspard belonged to this new generation of actors who were making tomorrow’s French cinema. He knew how to select his roles.”
“Heartbroken. Gaspard was benevolence and kindness. Beauty and talent. Thoughts for his family,” wrote actor and colleague Pierre Niney, on Twitter.