Funeral held for Gerard Depardieu's son

PARIS, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- A funeral has been held at a church in a Paris suburb for actor Guillaume Depardieu, the 37-year-old son of French film star Gerard Depardieu.

Guillaume Depardieu, who had been estranged from his famous father for several years, died last week from complications stemming from pneumonia.

Although Depardieu had legal and personal troubles connected to drugs and alcohol, he made a name for himself acting in films like "De La Guerre" and "Versailles," and won the prize for most promising young actor at the 1996 Cesar awards for his work in "Les Apprentis."

The BBC said French first lady Carla Bruni, director Luc Besson and actress Nathalie Baye were among the mourners who joined Depardieu's parents and sister at his hour-long funeral in Bougival.

During the service, selections from an album of recordings the actor made before he died were played, the British broadcaster reported.

His mother Elisabeth said during her eulogy that Guillaume was "a child, and then a man, about whom you always wondered would he come home at night."

His father also read a passage from Antoine de Saint-Exupery's children's book, "The Little Prince."

"Do you see? It's too far. I can't take this body with me. It's too heavy," the elder Depardieu read.

Contactmusic.com said Guillaume Depardieu is also survived by Louise, his 6-year-old daughter with his ex-wife Elise Ventre.