One would have to go back hundreds of years to find a monarch who reigned longer than Queen Elizabeth II.

Highly influential French film director Jean-Luc Godard has died at age 91.

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.

Published: May 18, 2020, 9:41 am Updated: May 18, 2020, 10:13 amFILE - In this May 20, 1974 file photo, French actor Michel Piccoli talks with Swedish actress Liv Ullmann at the Cannes Film Festival, southern France. Michel Piccoli, a prolific screen star whose served as muse to filmmaker Luis Bunuel and was a leading man for Jean-Luc Godard, has died. (AP Photo/Jean-Jacques Levy, File)PARIS French actor Michel Piccoli, a prolific screen star who appeared in landmark films by directors such as Luis Bunuel - including in his Academy Award winning The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie and Jean-Luc Godard, has died. His family confirmed to French media Monday that he died last week, but they did not give a cause of death. The actors last major role was in 2011's Nanni Morettis We Have a Pope, which premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival.