The star of Marvel’s upcoming Disney+ series “Moon Knight” was killed in a skiing accident on Wednesday at the age of 37.
Acclaimed French actor Gaspard Ulliel, who terrified fans as young Hannibal Lecter in 2007’s “Hannibal Rising,” was skiing in the French Alps when he collided with another skier on a blue run.
The other party was not injured, but Ulliel was knocked unconscious and was lying still in the snow when emergency responders got to him.
He was airlifted to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead on Wednesday. He is survived by his girlfriend, French model Gaëlle Piétri, and the couple’s 6-year-old son, Orso.
Ulliel was one of France’s top actors and was crucially lauded for his roles in 2014’s “Saint Laurent” in which he portrayed the famed designer, and 2016’s “Juste la fin du monde.” He won best actor for both roles in France’s equivalent to the Academy Awards.
The actor was poised to be a breakout star in Hollywood with “Moon Knight,” as villain Midnight Man, the rival of Oscar Isaac’s Marc Spector. The trailer for the show was released earlier this week.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our friend and colleague Gaspard Ulliel,” Marvel Studios said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this time.”
“Shocked and saddened to hear about the death of Gaspard Ulliel at such a young age in a skiing accident,” tweeted “Hannibal Rising” director Peter Webber. “I have such fond memories of working with him all those years ago on Hannibal Rising. Rest in peace, dear friend.”
“Gaspard Ulliel grew up with cinema and cinema grew with him,” wrote France’s Prime Minister Jean Castex. “They loved each other madly. It is with a heavy heart that we will no longer see his most beautiful interpretations. We have lost a French actor.”
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