France pays emotional tribute to New Wave actor Belmondo

PARIS (AP) — France paid tribute Thursday to screen legend Jean-Paul Belmondo whom the French president portrayed as the nation’s Everyman in a solemn, touching national homage that drew applause and tears from fans, stars and the actor’s family. The ceremony at the site of Napoleon’s final resting place combined military pomp and precision and the emotion of adoring fans, with 1,000 allowed inside the immense courtyard of the gold-domed monument. Others watched on a big screen from a lawn outside. In a eulogy to the New Wave star who appeared in more than 80 films, Macron said Belmondo was “part of the family, brother, cousin, uncle, seductive friend, outstanding father.” The star of the iconic French New Wave film “Breathless” died Monday at 88 years old.