Emily in Paris star dies months before 70th birthday after battle with ALS

The Emily in Paris actor and beloved French star, Pierre Deny, passed away at 69 after a “sudden and severe” battle with ALS

mily in Paris actor Pierre Deny passed away at 69 after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as ALS. He was just months away from his 70th birthday on July 12.

“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,” the actor’s daughters wrote in a statement obtained by the Daily Mail on Wednesday.

On the hit Netflix show, Pierre played Louis de Léon, the CEO of fictional fashion giant JVMA. He starred in the third and fourth seasons, before being written out.

Pierre’s life as an actor

Before joining the Emily in Paris cast, Pierre starred in more than 500 episodes of the soap opera, Demain nous appartien, which means “Tomorrow Is Ours” in English. His longtime co-star, Luce Mocuhel, wrote in French to Instagram in tribute.

Pierre in a scene with Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu© MARIE ETCHEGOYEN/NETFLIX
Pierre in a scene with Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu

“Pierre, 7 years of filming together, taking the train together, having lunch at the canteen together, 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 said.

Luce added: “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.”

The actor starred as somewhat of a villain in Emily in Paris© MARIE ETCHEGOYEN/NETFLIX
The actor starred as somewhat of a villain in Emily in Paris

The end of Emily in Paris

Darren Star, the creator of Emily in Paris, announced on May 21, 2026 that the show would conclude after its sixth season.

“Making Emily in Paris with this extraordinary cast and crew has been the trip of a lifetime,” he said. “As we embark on the final season, I am so grateful to Netflix, Paramount, and, most importantly, the fans who have taken this incredible journey with us. We can’t wait to share this last chapter with you. Thank you for letting us be a part of your lives, inspiring your dreams of travel and your love of Paris. We will always have Emily in Paris!”

Pierre Deny in Emily in Paris© Netflix
He was just a few months away from turning 70

Lily Collins, the star of the comedy, wrote to Instagram about the news: “Annnnnd we’re back — for the last time. @emilyinparis takes on Greece (and of course France) for one final, epic adventure. Let’s make it the most incredibly special season yet!…:

What is ALS?

ALS, per the Cleveland Clinic, is a neurodegenerative condition that affects how nerve cells communicate with your muscles, leading to muscle weakness that gets worse over time. Pierre wasn’t the first actor to pass away from the disease.

Ashley can be seen at the front in the red gown while her ex Paul stood in the back row, furthest to the left © Getty Images
Emily in Paris is set to conclude after its sixth season

In February, Grey’s Anatomy actor Eric Dane died 10 months after announcing his diagnosis. And, just last week, 90 Day Fiancé Jenny Slatten shared news of her ALS diagnosis.

CRE: hellomagazine.com/us/903913/emily-in-paris-star-pierre-deny-died-after-battle-with-als/