'Hannibal Rising' star Gaspard Ulliel dies at 37 after ski resort accident

PARIS, Jan 20 -- French actor Gaspard Ulliel has died at the age of 37 in an accident at a ski resort, Sputnik quoted an AFP report citing the actor's agent.

Earlier, the BFMTV broadcaster reported, citing sources, that Ulliel had been injured while skiing at the Rosieres ski resort in southeastern France. Radio station France Bleu reported that Ulliel had been hospitalised in a critical condition with a serious head injury. According to the radio station, the cause of the incident was a collision with another skier. Later, the actor succumbed to the injuries.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences on the death of the actor.

"The president of the (French) Republic with a deep sorrow learned about the death of Gaspard Ulliel, who died so young, only 37 years old, as a result of the serious ski incident," the Elysee Palace said on late Wednesday.

The president and his wife also expressed condolences to the family of Ulliel as well as to all fans of the actor.

"It's with a heavy heart that we will watch his most beautiful performances and intersect with his distinctive gaze. We have lost a true French actor," French Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Twitter.

French Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot also voiced her condolences and called Ulliel a person endowed with "immense talent".

"His sensitivity and the intensity of his acting made Gaspard Ulliel an exceptional actor. The cinema today lost an immense talent. I send my condolences to his loved ones and my loving thoughts to all who mourn him today," Bachelot tweeted.

Ulliel is known for his roles in such movies as Hannibal Rising, The Long Engagement, Saint Laurent, It's Only the End of the World. In 2005 and 2017, he won the French national film award Cesar.

-- BERNAMA