An open letter, signed by the British actress Charlotte Rampling, former “first lady” Carla Bruni, and Gérard Depardieu’s ex-partner, actress Carole Bouquet, claims that the French actor is a victim of one “flood of hate”.

Depardieu, who has made more than 200 films and TV series, was accused of rape in 2020 and of sexually harassing and assaulting more than 12 women.

“We can no longer remain silent in the face of the lynching he faces,” characteristically states the letter published in the French newspaper Le Figaro late Monday.

Depardieu – who turns 75 on Wednesday – “is probably the greatest of all actors” it noted.

According to the letter, Depardieu was attacked “despite the presumption of innocence which he would have benefited from, like everyone else, had he not been the movie giant that he is.”

The letter states that “when people attack Gerard Depardieu in this way, they attack art”.

“France owes him so much. Cinema and theater cannot do without his unique and extraordinary personality.”

“No one can erase the indelible imprint of his work in our time”.

Last week French President Emmanuel Macron said Depardieu was the target of a “manhunter”, while his family denounced an “unprecedented conspiracy” against him.

Rights activists condemned Macron’s comments as an “insult” to all women who have suffered sexual violence. The letter, titled “Don’t delete Gerard Depardieu”, has sparked a new wave of outrage.

Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak said Depardieu could be stripped of the national Legion of Honor, France’s highest award.