French Actress Nathalie Baye Dies at 77 from Lewy Body Dementia

French actress Nathalie Baye died on April 17, 2026, at age 77, her family reported to Agence France-Presse. She passed away at her home in Paris after suffering from Lewy body dementia.

Born on July 6, 1948, in Mainneville, Eure, Normandy, Baye graduated from the Conservatoire national supérieur d'art dramatique in 1972. That same year, she made her film debut in Two People, directed by Robert Wise and starring Peter Fonda and Lindsay Wagner.

Career Highlights

Baye starred in several French films, including Day for Night in 1973, Every Man for Himself in 1980 directed by Jean-Luc Godard, Strange Affair in 1981, The Return of Martin Guerre in 1982, La Balance in 1982, Venus Beauty in 2000, Feelings in 2003, The Young Lieutenant in 2006, and It’s Only the End of the World in 2017.

In the United States, Baye portrayed French virologist Françoise Barré-Sinoussi in the 1993 television film And the Band Played On, which focused on the discovery and spread of HIV/AIDS.

International Roles

Baye appeared in Steven Spielberg's 2002 film Catch Me If You Can, playing Paula, the mother of the character portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio.

The film also featured Christopher Walken as Frank Abagnale Sr. and Tom Hanks as FBI agent Carl Hanratty. Catch Me If You Can received Oscar nominations. More recently, Baye starred in Downton Abbey: A New Era in 2022, playing Madame Montmirail alongside Maggie Smith.

This was one of Smith’s final film appearances before her death.

Personal Life

Baye is survived by her daughter, actress Laura Smet, whom she shared with musician Johnny Hallyday, her former partner.

No further details on funeral arrangements were provided in the family's statement.