Emily in Paris star Pierre Deny has died aged 69 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The beloved French actor featured in seasons three and four of Netflix’s hit series starring Lily Collins, playing Louis de Léon, the CEO of fashion giant JVMA and father of Nicholas de Léon (Paul Forman), who dated Emily’s best friend Mindy Chen (Ashley Park).
His daughters confirmed he died on Monday following complications linked to the disease.
In a statement, they said: “It is with deep emotion that we announce the passing of Pierre Deny, which occurred this Monday following a sudden and severe case of ALS.”
ALS is a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to a gradual loss of muscle control. There is currently no cure.
Beyond Emily in Paris, Deny was a familiar face to French television audiences, appearing in more than 500 episodes of long-running soap Demain nous appartient (Tomorrow Belongs to Us).
Tributes have since poured in from colleagues and friends.
Bulgarian-French singer and actress Sylvie Vartan wrote on Instagram: “It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Pierre Deny.
“I shared many wonderful moments with him on stage in Isabelle Mergault’s play.
“He was a generous actor and a sensitive and funny man. In these painful moments, my thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
His Demain nous appartient co-star Luce Mouchel also shared an emotional tribute, reflecting on their years working together.
“Pierre, 7 years of filming together, taking the train together, having lunch at the canteen together.
What is Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, according to the Mayo Clinic. Over time, it damages the nerves responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement, leading to a gradual loss of muscle function.
Is there a cure?There is currently no cure for ALS, and the condition is ultimately fatal. However, the speed at which the disease progresses can vary significantly from person to person. Treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
SymptomsEarly signs of ALS often include muscle twitching, weakness in the arms or legs, and difficulty speaking or swallowing.
As the disease progresses, muscle control continues to decline, affecting a person’s ability to walk, move, eat, speak and eventually breathe independently.
Symptoms can differ depending on which nerve cells are first affected, but may include:
- weakness in the legs, ankles, hands or knees
- frequent tripping or difficulty walking
- muscle cramps and twitching, particularly in the arms, shoulders or tongue
- slurred speech or trouble swallowing
- difficulty holding objects or performing everyday tasks
Some people with ALS may also experience changes in thinking, behaviour or emotional responses, including unexpected episodes of laughing, crying or yawning.
“Sometimes confiding, inviting each other from time to time and congratulating you for your hidden cooking talent, meeting our girls, clapping at the theater, calling each other ‘Doctor’ usually, and I forget,” she wrote.
“A short decade of shared life that should not have ended so quickly and so brutally. I'm thinking of your daughters and their exceptional courage. Thinking of you, my last visit and your sparkling eyes, rest in peace, Dr. Dumaze.”
ALS has brought renewed attention in recent years following several high-profile diagnoses, including late Grey’s Anatomy actor Eric Dane, who publicly revealed his diagnosis in 2025.
