Jose L. de Vilallonga, author and actor

August 31, 2007|Associated Press

MADRID - Jose Luis de Vilallonga, an author, aristocrat, and actor who shared the silver screen with Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's," died yesterday at his home on the island of Mallorca. He was 87.

A colorful character in Spain's high society, Mr. Vilallonga worked as a journalist for the national press agency EFE and for the magazines Paris-Match, Marie-Claire, and Vogue. He wrote an official biography of Spain's King Juan Carlos that was published in 1993. The monarch expressed sadness at the news of his death yesterday.

A high point in his acting career came when he starred as Jose da Silva Pereira, the dashing Brazilian multimillionaire whom Holly Golightly planned to marry in Blake Edwards's 1961 classic movie.

Mr. Vilallonga was the Marquis de Castellbell and a Grandee of Spain. His death was announced by the government of Mallorca.

He was married three times: to British aristocrat Priscilla Scott-Ellis (1945-1972), to Syliane Stella Morell (1974-1995), and in 1999 to journalist Begona Aranguren.

He leaves a son, John, and a daughter, Carmen, from his first marriage and an adopted son, Fabricio.