French actor Gaspard Ulliel, who is part of Marvel's Moon Knight series, dies at 37 following ski accident

Gaspard Ulliel, a known face in French cinema and star of the upcoming Marvel Studios series Moon Knight, died following a ski accident in the French Alps. Ulliel was 37 years old.

According to The Associated Press, Ulliel was skiing at a resort on Tuesday when he crashed with another skier due to which both of them had a fall. While the actor was “motionless and unconscious when rescuers arrived," the other skier was safe.

The director of the resort said that Ulliel was not wearing a helmet. The use of helmets is not strictly imposed on French ski slops, though they are strongly recommended. 

Ulliel was transported to hospital by helicopter, where the doctors tried to revive him. However, he was declared dead at around 4 pm on Wednesday. 

Ulliel played a young Hannibal Lecter in Peter Webber’s Hannibal Rising, which was also his English-language debut. He also starred as fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent in the biopic Saint Laurent. Additionally, he was the face of Chanel's perfume Bleu de Chanel and was often seen in its ads.

His friends and colleagues from across industries mourned the actor's untimely passing.

"Gaspard belonged to this new generation of actors who were making tomorrow’s French cinema. He knew how to select his roles and shaped his career which filled every promise. Each appearance on the red carpet, from La Princesse de Montpensier to It’s Only The End of the World illustrated his presence, both discreet and full of kindness. He was equally brilliant and talented. He gave a lot and we’ll always remember him," said Cannes Film Festival director Thierry Fremaux. 

Webber paid homage to the actor on Twitter.

Xavier Dolan, who directed Ulliel in the 2016 drama It’s Only the End of the World, also wrote a tribute to the actor in French. "It’s unbelievable, absurd, and so painful to even think of writing these words. Your discreet laugher, your caring gaze. Your scar. Your talent. Your listening skill. Your whispers, your kindness. All these personality traits that emanated from a shining softness. Your whole being transformed my life, a being that loved deeply and that I will always love. I can’t say anything more. I feel drained, shaken by your (death)," reads the note (as translated by Variety).

Ulliel is survived by his 6 year-old son Orso and his girlfriend Gaelle Petri. His funeral service will be held today in Paris.