French actor Pierre Deny, who appeared as Louis de Léon on Netflix’s “Emily in Paris,” died Monday, May 25, at age 69 after a rapid battle with ALS, his daughters said. The news has landed as the actor’s final “Emily in Paris” episode aired during Season 4 in
Pierre Deny was cast as Louis de Léon, and for many viewers he became part of the steady romance of Netflix’s “Emily in Paris.” On Monday, May 25, at 69, the French actor died after what his family described as a rapid battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.
Deny, who played Louis de Léon on the romantic comedy series starring Lily Collins, died following the ALS battle, according to statements from his daughters shared with French news agency AFP, as reflected by TF1 and Le Parisien.
“ It is with deep emotion that we announce the death of Pierre Deny on Monday following a rapid ALS,” Deny’s children said in a statement translated from French.
ALS is commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The condition is a rare degenerative disorder that can impact the brain and spinal cord. The National Institutes of Health says ALS progressively degrades and then kills nerve cells in the affected areas. Over time, the muscle weakening continues to spread throughout the body, eventually creating difficulties with breathing, chewing, swallowing and speaking.
On “Emily in Paris,” Deny’s character, Louis de Léon, was the CEO of JVMA, a European conglomerate specializing in luxury goods. He was also the father of Mindy’s love interest and former boarding school classmate Nicolas de Léon, played by Paul Forman.
Deny was a theater veteran whose career spanned more than 100 films and television series. His credits included “Une Femme d’Honneur” (“A Woman of Honor”), “Tomorrow is Ours,” “The Third Wave,” “Times Have Been Better” and, most recently, “Camping Paradise.”
He appeared in a trio of episodes on “Emily in Paris,” which follows the globe-trotting adventures of aspiring marketing executive Emily Cooper. His last appearance was on the second episode of Season 4 in 2024, according to IMDb.
The timing of the death comes as Netflix is already looking ahead to the next phase of “Emily in Paris.” In January. the streamer said the Darren Star-created show was greenlit for its sixth—and final—season. Production is still underway. and the show is set to visit Greece and Monaco before returning to Paris for its farewell. according to a May 21 press release.
Star said in a statement. “Making ‘Emily in Paris’ with this extraordinary cast and crew has been the trip of a lifetime.” She added. “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!’”.
Across entertainment and beyond, ALS has touched public lives in different ways. Stars who have battled ALS include “Grey’s Anatomy” actor Eric Dane, “SpongeBob SquarePants” creator Stephen Hillenburg, R&B icon Roberta Flack, and world-renowned physicist Stephen Hawking.
For doctors and families, the fear that follows ALS news often starts with what early symptoms can look like. The ALS Society of Canada lists possible early signs such as tripping. slurred or “thick” speech. difficulty swallowing. weight loss. decreased muscle tone. shortness of breath. increased or decreased reflexes. and uncontrollable periods of laughing or crying.
Deny’s death marks another loss for the “Emily in Paris” world and for French acting in general, coming as the show’s final chapter is already in motion. The roles he built—on stage, in film, and in television—now sit alongside the family’s account of a fast illness that brought an end at 69.
Pierre Deny Emily in Paris Netflix ALS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Lou Gehrig's disease Louis de Léon