Actor Gaspard Ulliel died after colliding with another skier in an accident in France, weeks before the release of his upcoming Marvel series.
The actor’s family confirmed he had died at the age of 37 after crashing into another skier in the Alps on January 19.
Gaspard Ulliel dies at 37 in ski accident.
He rose to fame after playing the role of a young Hannibal Lecter in Hannibal Rising and was also popular as the face of Chanel’s Bleu de Chanel fragrance.
Gaspard Ulliel was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident and collided with another skier at the intersection of two slopes.
The father of one had been visiting the Rosiere resort in Savoie with friends over the weekend when the accident happened.
He suffered injuries and head trauma and was taken to University Hospital in Grenoble by helicopter.
Despite attempts to save him, Gaspard Ulliel died in the hospital just after 4 p.m. The second skier involved in the accident did not suffer major injuries, according to reports.
According to a witness’ account, other adults on the ski slopes were not wearing helmets that same day.
The weather conditions were reportedly good and not dangerous for skiers, although the hardening of the snow had resulted in several rescues already, according to the police.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJNX9HN16-Y
Ulliel is thought to have been skiing towards friends to join them on the Gellinotte run at the resort when the accident happened on a slope known as Tetras. He became unconscious in the snow after both skiers fell to the ground.
Gaspard Ulliel was in a relationship with actress Vicky Krieps.
The French actor leaves behind a young son, Orso, whom he shares with singer Gaelle Pietri. The child turned six one week before his dad’s death.
Pietri and Ulliel were in a relationship from 2013 to 2020. Luxembourgish actress Vicky Krieps, 38, known for movies like Phantom Thread, Bergman Island, and Old, was Ulliel’s last partner.
They were together for almost two years, but the relationship was discreet.
He won two César Awards, the French equivalent of the Oscars. In 2005, he won Most Promising Actor for his role in A Very Long Engagement. In 2017, he took home the César Award for Best Actor following his performance in It’s Only the End of the World.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex put out a statement after the actor’s passing. It read: “Gaspard Ulliel grew up with cinema, and cinema grew with him. They loved each other madly. It is with a heavy heart that we will now see his most beautiful interpretations and meet this certain look. We are losing a French actor.”
Bruno Le Maire, the European country’s finance minister, also reacted: “French cinema is losing a huge talent, full of charm and energy.”
The minister of culture, Roselyne Bachelot, went in the same direction and stated: “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.”
Gaspard Ulliel’s Marvel series to be released in March.
The death was ruled an accident by French authorities.
Moon Knight, the Marvel series which stars Gaspard Ulliel, will be released on March 30 on Disney Plus.
The actor will be seen playing the character of Anton Mogart, also known as Midnight Man.
