KUALA LUMPUR: French actor Gaspard Ulliel has died after a skiing accident in the French Alps. He was 37.
CNN yesterday reported that the skiing accident took place on Tuesday.
The star of A Very Long Engagement and Hannibal Rising was airlifted via helicopter to Grenoble University Hospital Center but did not survive his injuries, according to the actor's family and agent.
It was reported that Ulliel collided with another skier at a crossing point, and sustained head trauma. The other skier did not suffer any injuries.
"Gaspard Ulliel grew up with cinema and cinema grew up with him. They loved each other madly.
"It's with a heavy heart that we will rewatch his most beautiful performances and catch his unique gaze. We have lost a French actor," tweeted French Prime Minister Jean Castex yesterday.
After some television work, Ulliel had a small role in 2001's Brotherhood Of The Wolf, alongside Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci.
Acclaimed work in French films Summer Things and Strayed then led to the romantic lead in Jean-Pierre Jeunet's A Very Long Engagement, opposite Audrey Tautou. The performance saw him win a César (French national film award) for most promising actor.
Ulliel was also noted for his roles as young Hannibal Lecter in Hannibal Rising, and as Yves Saint Laurent in biopic Laurent which scored him a César nomination for best actor.
He will next be seen as Midnight Man in the Marvel show Moon Knight with Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke, the trailer for which was released earlier this week.
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our friend and colleague Gaspard Ulliel," a Disney spokesperson said.
The late actor is survived by model-singer girlfriend Gaëlle Piétri and a son.
