Oct 14, 2008, 11:15 GMT
Gerard Depardieu's son has died at the age of 37.
French actor Guillaume Depardieu signing a poster of the movie "Aime ton pere", directed by Swiss Jacob Berger, at the 55th International Film Festival of Locarno, in Switzerland. The 37-year-old son of actor Gerard Depardieu died of pneumonia, which was caused by a virus, as the agency 'Artmedia' announced on 13 October 2008 in Paris, France. Depardieu described the love-hate relationship with his famous father in his autobiography. He lost one leg in a motorcycle accident and was addicted to drugs and alcohol for some time. In June of last year he was sentenced to two month imprisonment because of drink-driving. The last film he starred in were 'Stella' and 'Versailles'. EPA/MARTIAL TREZZINI
Guillaume Depardieu - the actor's child from his first marriage to actress Elisabeth Guignot - was hospitalised on Sunday (12.10.08) with pneumonia but passed away in Paris' Raymond-Poincare de Garches hospital yesterday (13.10.08).
A representative confirmed the news, saying: "He passed away after having contracted a virus which led to a devastating bout of pneumonia."
Guillaume - who was crowned Best Newcomer at the French Oscars in 1996 - had been in poor health for several years following a motorcycle crash in 1995, which saw him undergo 17 operations, including having his left leg amputated in 2003 after contracting an infection.
He had also battled drug addiction and admitted to sleeping with men for money.
Guillaume had a difficult relationship with his father, though they recently reconciled.
In his 2004 autobiography 'Tout Donner', Guillaume accused his father of being a money-obsessed alcoholic who had neglected him as a child.
In the book - which Gerard called "shameless" - he wrote: "I love him and detest him for the same reasons. For his impotence, for his way of fleeing life and existence and fighting against it. He is stupid. He is hopeless."
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