Although Delannoy was born in a Paris suburb, his family was from Haute-Normandie in the north of France.

He was a Protestant, a descendant of Huguenots, some of whom fled the country during the French Wars of Religion, and settled first in Wallonia.

Afterwards, their name became De la Noye and then Delano, who were on the second ship to immigrate to Plymouth, Massachusetts.

He eventually landed a job with Paramount Studios Parisian facilities, working his way up to head film editor.

In recognition of his long service to the French motion picture industry, in 1986 Delannoy received an Honorary César Award.