Niels Arestrup, French-Danish Actor Known for “War Horse ”and“ A Prophet”,“ ”Dies at 75

Niels Arestrup won three César Awards - France's equivalent of the Academy Awards — in his decades-long acting career

Niels Arestrup, the French-Danish actor celebrated for his roles in Steven Spielberg's War Horse and Jacques Audiard's A Prophet, has died. He was 75.

The actor's wife Isabelle Le Nouvel confirmed his death to France's Agence France-Presse on Sunday, Dec. 1. "I am extremely saddened to announce the death of my husband, the great actor Niels Arestrup, after a courageous fight against illness. He passed away surrounded by the love of his family," Le Nouvel wrote in a statement, per France's Le Parisien newspaper.

The actor won a record three French César awards — France's equivalent to the Academy Awards — over his long career, most recently for 2013's The French Minister.

Related: Paying Tribute to the Celebrities Who Have Died in 2024

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Arestrup made his debut in the theater when he was 23. He first appeared onscreen in 1974 and worked consistently ever since, with 91 screen credits to his name. He was a frequent collaborator with filmmaker Jacques Audiard (Emilia Perez), winning two of his three César awards for Audiard's 2005 film The Beat That My Heart Skipped and 2009's A Prophet. In 2011's War Horse, Arestrup costarred with Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston and David Thewlis. The movie followed followed a horse named Joey as he is sold to the British Army in World War I and participates in a number of battles and eventually returns to his old family. 

 Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

"The immense Niels Arestrup has left us," Rachida Dati, France's minister of culture, wrote in reaction to Arestrup's death on X on Dec. 1. "We were dazzled by the power of his acting and his magnetic presence in front of the camera of Jacques Audiard, Bertrand Tavernier, Julian Schnabel or Albert Dupontel. He will remain one of our greatest actors. I extend my most sincere condolences to his family and loved ones."

Related: Wayne Northrop, Days of Our Lives and Dynasty Star, Dies at 77: ‘Took His Last Breath in the Arms of His Family’

THR noted that Arestrup's career was marred by multiple accusations of violence against him; actress Isabelle Adjani claimed Arestrup struck her during rehearsals for their 1983 play Mademoiselle Julie, and actress Myriam Boyer alleged Arestrup almost strangled her during a 1996 stage performance of Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf. While THR reported that Arestrup was never charged with any offense, Boyer was awarded 800,00 francs in damages in the legal case.

Per THR, Adjani told Le Parisien that Arestrup "was a great actor [but] personally, I unfortunately have nothing positive to say about the man," when that outlet reached her for comment on Arestrup's death.