Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Pierre Deny, a veteran French actor, breathed his last on Monday, May 25, 2026.
Deny, known internationally for his role as luxury brand executive Louis de Léon in the Netflix series Emily in Paris, passed away at the age of 69 after battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) which was described as a "sudden and severe" case.
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This sad news was confirmed directly by his daughters in a statement to the French news agency AFP.
Deny's death shocked many people, considering his still active role in the fan favorite series.
He leaves behind a long and varied career, from the theater stage to the small screen and film, making him one of the most respected figures in the French entertainment industry.
His passing is a reminder of the deadly impact of ALS, a neurodegenerative disease for which there is no known cure.
Pierre Deny, a French actor best known for his role in Netflix’s “Emily in Paris,” died on Monday from ALS-related complications. He was 69.Deny played Louis de Léon — the CEO of luxury fashion company JVMA and father of Nicolas (Paul Forman), the love interest of Mindy (Ashley… pic.twitter.com/zlj2FjDTJb
— Variety (@Variety) May 27, 2026
The role of Pierre Deny in Emily in Paris
Pierre Deny is known to global audiences for his memorable role as Louis de Léon in the Netflix romantic comedy series Emily in Paris.
In the series, he plays the CEO of the fictional luxury fashion conglomerate JVMA.
Louis de Léon's character is also the father of Nicholas de Léon, played by Paul Forman, who has a romantic relationship with Emily's best friend, Mindy Chen, played by Ashley Park.
Deny appeared in three episodes of Emily in Paris, namely in the third and fourth seasons, leaving a deep impression on fans of the series.
Details of Death
Pierre Deny died due to complications from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
This disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that gradually affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing muscle weakness and paralysis over time.
Deny's daughters confirmed the sad news in a statement released to AFP, which was later quoted by Le Parisien and TF1.
They stated, "It is with deep emotion that we announce the passing of Pierre Deny, which occurred this Monday after a sudden and severe case of ALS."
ALS is a fatal disease for which there is no cure, although research is ongoing to find new therapies.
Pierre Deny's Career Tracks
Born on July 12 1956, Pierre Deny began his acting career on the French theater stage in the 1980s, before finally branching out into television drama and film.
Throughout his career, Deny has starred in nearly 70 roles in TV and film productions, as well as dozens of roles in theater.
In France, he is widely known for his role as Dr. Renaud Dumaze in over 500 episodes of the popular soap opera “Tomorrow Is Ours” (Demain Nous Appartient) between 2017 and 2023.
Her other acting credits include French TV series such as “Five Sisters”, “A Woman of Honor”, “New Maud”, and “Life is Beautiful”.
His last appearance on screen was in 2025 in an episode of the French comedy series "Camping Paradise".
Tribute from Colleagues and Fans
Paul Forman, the actor who played Deny's son in Emily in Paris, expressed his condolences via Instagram Story.
"Heartbroken to hear of the passing of Pierre Deny," the actor wrote on his Instagram Stories May 27. "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."
French singer and actress Sylvie Vartan, who once starred with Deny on stage, also wrote on Instagram, remembering Deny as a "generous actor and a sensitive and funny man."
Luce Mouchel, who played his on-screen wife in "Tomorrow Is Ours," also paid tribute.