Ari Boulogne

Christian Aaron Boulogne (11 August 1962 – 20 May 2023), also known as Ari Boulogne and Ari Päffgen, was a French photographer, actor and writer.

Parents -  Nico and Alain Delon
Relatives
Anthony Delon (half-brother)
Anouchka Delon (half-sister)
Alain-Fabien Delon (half-brother)

Early life

Boulogne was born in Neuilly-sur-Seine on 11 August 1962. 

He was the son of German singer and actress Nico. His biological father has been heavily rumoured to be French actor Alain Delon, although Delon consistently denied paternity to Boulogne and therefore this was never proved. He was initially raised by his mother before he was adopted by Delon's mother Édith and her second husband Paul Boulogne whose surname he legally took. He spent most of his childhood in Bourg-la-Reine. 

In 2001 and 2019, Boulogne attempted to sue Delon for legal recognition of paternity but without success.

Career

Boulogne reunited with his mother as a teenager and began his career as an actor. He made appearances in films directed by Philippe Garrel, including The Inner Scar, which he starred in with Nico, and The Secret Son, in which he was credited as Ari Päffgen. After acting, Boulogne took on a career as a photographer.

Personal life and death

Boulogne had two children: a son, Charles (born 1999), and a daughter, Blanche (born 2006). In 2001, he published a memoir, Love Never Forgets, in which he elaborates on his relationship with his mother.

Boulogne was found dead in his Paris apartment on 20 May 2023, following a heroin overdose a month before. A woman, supposedly his partner, was taken into custody for failure of duty to rescue. He was 60, and was in an advanced stage of decomposition when discovered.

Shortly after his death was announced, his half-brother Anthony Delon paid tribute to him on Instagram, expressing his "great sadness".

In popular culture

Boulogne was portrayed by Sandor Funtek in the 2017 film Nico, 1988.

Selected filmography

• 1972: The Inner Scar
• 1979: The Secret Son
• 1984: Mixed Blood
• 1995: Nico Icon
• 2002: The Repentant
• 2003: Nathalie...
• 2004: Pas sages