Renowned French actress Nathalie Baye, celebrated for her versatility and down-to-earth charm, has passed away at the age of 77. Baye, who starred in over 80 films and won two Best Actress awards at the Césars, died in Paris from a neurodegenerative disease. French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to her significant contributions to French cinema.
April 19, 2026 at 6:45 AMFILE - Actress Nathalie Baye poses for photographers upon arrival at the screening of the film Juste la Fin du Monde at the 69th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, May 19, 2016.
FILE - French actress Natalie Baye acknowledges applause after she received a Cesar award for her performance as best actress, Feb. 25, 2006 during the Cesars Awards, the French Academy Awards in Paris. Baye was awarded for her performance in French director's Xavier Beauvois"Le petit Lieutenant". FILE - Actress Nathalie Baye poses for photographers during a photo call for the film Juste La Fin Du Monde at the 69th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, May 19, 2016. FILE - Actress Nathalie Baye poses for photographers upon arrival at the screening of the film Juste la Fin du Monde at the 69th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, May 19, 2016. – Nathalie Baye, a French actor who was a fan's favorite for her her down-to-earth charm and great versatility, has died. She was 77. French president Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to an actor “with whom we loved, dreamed and grew.” French media reported that Baye died on Friday in Paris from a neurodegenerative disease, quoting a statement from her relatives.“We loved Nathalie Baye so much,” Macron wrote in a message on X. “Through her voice, her smiles, and her modesty, she accompanied the past decades of French cinema, from François Truffaut to Tonie Marshall.” Baye featured in more than 80 movies, switching from mainstream comedies to auteur films with ease in a career that spanned over five decades. She twice claimed the prize for best actress at the Césars, France’s equivalent of the Oscars. Baye, who was Leonardo DiCaprio’s on-screen mother in Steven Spielberg’s “Catch Me If You Can,” won both popular and critical acclaim for her role in “Venus Beauty Institute,” a romantic comedy that follows three women working in a Parisian beauty salon as they search for fulfilment. Marshall won the César award for best director in 2000 for the movie. The daughter of artists, Baye first trained as a dancer then honed her acting skills at the famed Cours Simon and the Conservatoire. She took the spotlight in François Truffaut's “Day for Night” in 1973 and, five years later, worked with him again on “The Green Room.” Baye worked with directors Maurice Pialat, Claude Sautet and Bertrand Tavernier, among others. She rose to fame with “The Return of Martin Guerre” in 1982. A year later, her role as a tough-talking streetwalker devoted to her down-and-out gangster boyfriend Philippe Leotard in “La Balance” earned her a César. Baye liked to work with emerging filmakers such as Xavier Beauvois. She won the César for best actress for his movie “The Young Lieutenant” in 2006. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Heavy rain turns Highway 288 in Houston into river0:45Defense challenges inappropriate relationship charges for former Goose Creek CISD counselorHouston mayor looking to revise immigration ordinance as funding freeze hurts HPD, FIFA prepsRain and storms this weekend as cold front pushes through HoustonWelcome to your new home, Tierra 💛▶Party like a CROCKstar with this merchant at the Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market SPRING4-month-old dead at apartment complex in west HoustonThe latest on Houston's Saturday storm chancesHow to save 20% at Blushington, River Oaks's newest beauty bar'I love my baby girl': Father learns about pregnant daughter's deathHouston postpones special City Council meeting as state deadline on funding dispute extendedExtreme drought dropped after 70-day rainfall in Southeast Texas▶Storms are heading towards Houston this Saturday!Pastor’s daughter shot arriving home from church; boyfriend uses car to stop suspected shooterHouston mayor rejects filing Temporary Restraining Order as ordinance fight threatens fundingMagnolia mayor arrested, charged with felony assault of pregnant womanAstros pitcher Josh Hader seen on the mound as he recovers from biceps tendinitisTroy Finner hired as Missouri City Police Chief nearly 2 years after HPD scandal, retirementFormer Goose Creek CISD high school counselor wanted for alleged sexual relationship with studentTexas EquuSearch joins search for missing 8-month pregnant woman last seen in HoustonHouston's work week forecast
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