French actor Pierre Deny, widely recognized for his role in the hit Netflix series “Emily in Paris,” has died at the age of 69, after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Deny died on May 25, his daughters confirmed in a statement to French news agency AFP, following a “sudden and severe case of ALS.” It remains unclear when the actor was first diagnosed with the disease.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects the nervous system in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control and movement.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the motor neurons gradually deteriorate and then die. There is no cure for ALS, and patients usually have a life expectancy of three to five years after initial diagnosis.
Tributes from colleagues and costars began pouring in online, with actor Paul Forman, who portrayed Deny’s on-screen son in the show, remembering his kindness and professionalism.
“Heartbroken to hear of the passing of Pierre Deny,” Forman wrote on his Instagram stories. “It was a privilege to work alongside him and to witness his warmth and talent up close. Thinking of his family and loved ones. Rest in peace.”
“I shared some great moments with him on stage in Isabelle Mergault’s play,” added French actress Sylvie Vartan in an Instagram post. “He was a generous actor and a sensitive and funny man. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this painful time.”
Deny built a respected career across French television and theater, beginning in the 1980s when he appeared in numerous productions across drama, crime series, and soap operas.
He was best known for his recurring role on the French soap opera “Demain Nous Appartient,” where he starred in over 300 episodes between 2017 and 2023. Other credits include “Cinq soeurs,” “Une femme d’honneur” and “Sous Le Soleil.”
“Pierre, seven years of filming together, taking the train together, having lunch together in the cafeteria, sometimes confiding in each other, occasionally inviting each other over and congratulating you on your hidden talent as a cook,” expressed his longtime “Demain Nous Appartient” costar Luce Mouchel in a social media tribute.
“Introducing our daughters, going to applaud each other at the theater, habitually calling each other ‘doctor,’ and so much more. A little over a decade of shared life that shouldn’t have ended so quickly and so brutally.”
“I’m thinking of your daughters and their exceptional courage. I’m thinking of you, of my last visit and your sparkling eyes. Rest in peace, Dr. Dumaze.”
Deny broke out internationally when he starred as “Louis de Léon” in two seasons of “Emily in Paris.” The show is currently filming its sixth and final season, Netflix announced earlier this month.
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