Pierre Deny, the beloved French actor recognized by international audiences for his role in Emily in Paris, has died at the age of 69.
“It is with deep emotion that we announce the passing of Pierre Deny this Monday (May 25) following a sudden and severe case of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis),” his daughters said in a statement released to AFP.
Born in 1956, Deny first built his career on the stage during the 1980s before becoming a familiar face on French television.
Over the decades, he appeared in more than 60 popular TV productions, including Under the Sun, Une Femme d’Honneur, Cinq Soeurs, Plus Belle La Vie, and Tomorrow Is Ours.
Fans especially came to know him as Renaud Dumaze in Tomorrow Is Ours, where he appeared in more than 300 episodes. In recent years, Deny reached a global audience through his role as Louis de Leon in Emily in Paris, portraying the powerful CEO of luxury fashion conglomerate JVMA alongside Lily Collins and Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu.
Paul Forman is among the Emily in Paris co-stars mourning Pierre Deny following the French actor’s sudden death at age 69.
“Heartbroken to hear of the passing of Pierre Deny,” Forman wrote via Instagram Stories on Wednesday.
“It was a privilege to work alongside him and to witness his warmth and talent up close.”
He concluded the tribute by saying, “Thinking of his family and loved ones. Rest in peace.”
Forman, 32, shared the message alongside a black-and-white photo of Deny.
The emotional tribute comes as fans are also processing another major piece of news: Emily in Paris is officially coming to an end.
Earlier this month, series star Lily Collins revealed that filming is underway for the sixth and final season.
Deny’s death comes after a battle with ALS, also known as Charcot disease or Lou Gehrig’s disease — a progressive neurodegenerative condition that has affected several high-profile figures in sports and entertainment in recent years, including Eric Dane and Kenneth Mitchell.
