Sombre Carla Bruni joins mourners at funeral of Gerard Depardieu's son
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 1:58 PM on 17th October 2008
France's first lady Carla Bruni joined hundreds of mourners today at the funeral of movie star Gerard Depardieu's son.
The memorial service for Guillaume Depardieu, who died suddenly from pneumonia on Monday, was held today at the Bougival church, in Paris.
The eldest son of the renowned French actor was well known in his own right after starring in a number of films including the movie adaptation of Les Miserables in 2001.
In mourning: Carla Bruni, the wife of French president Nicolas Sarkozy, arrived today to pay her respects as the funeral of Guillaume Depardieu
Offering comfort: Carla consoles Guillaume's sister Julie Depardieu
The 37-year-old actor, who had a daughter Louise, died in a Parisian hospital following a severe bout of pneumonia.
He had been filming a new movie, L'Enfance d'Icare, in Romania at the weekend when he suddenly fell ill.
His father's publicist, Artmedia, said: 'He caught a virus which gave him a very severe pneumonia. Gerard is devastated.'
In 1995 Guillaume was involved in a serious motorbike accident and had a leg amputated.
Applause: The crowd claps as pallbearers carry out the coffin of Gerard Depardieu's eldest son
He'd also served time in prison for drugs offenses and had a public falling out with his father five years ago.
Family tragedy: Gerard Depardieu's son died suddenly from pneumonia earlier this week
Before that, father and son had starred together in the 1991 film Tous Les Matins Du Monde.
Gerard Depardieu became known around the world for a number of box office hits including Cyrano de Bergerac and Green Card.
Guillaume was one of two children Gerard had with the actress Elisabeth Guignot before the couple's divorce.
After his marriage breakdown Gerard went on to have a string of lovers.
In 1992, while separated from Élisabeth, he had a daughter Roxane Depardieu with the model Karine Sylla.
His fluctuating private life took another turn when Gerard took up with actress Carole Bouquet with whom he was married from 1997 to 2005.
A year later he had son Jean Depardieu with a Franco-Cambodian woman named Hélène.
Gerard has since been living with Harvard-educated novelist, Clementine Igou.
Heartbroken: Elisabeth Depardieu prays at her son's coffin
Emotional: French actor Vincent Cassel and partner Italian actress Monica Bellucci were also among the mourners
Grieving: Guillaume's daughter Louise carries a flower for her father. She is accompanied by her mother and Guillaume's ex wife Elise Ventre
Paying respects: Mourners arrived at the Bougival church in Paris
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