A FRENCH actor with a role in Netflix series Emily in Paris has died after a brave battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Pierre Deny, a dearly beloved face on French television for decades, died on Monday at the age of 69 from complications with the disease that causes progressive muscle paralysis.
“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,” his daughters said in a statement.
Also known as Charcot’s disease, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
It leads to muscle weakness, atrophy, and paralysis, eventually affecting the ability to speak, eat, and breathe.
Tributes have been paid to the star by other celebrities, hailing him as a “generous actor”.
Sylvie Vartan, Bulgarian-French singer and actress, wrote on Instagram: “It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Pierre Deny.
“I shared many wonderful moments with him on stage in Isabelle Mergault’s play.
“He was a generous actor and a sensitive and funny man. In these painful moments, my thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Raphael Benoliel, someone who said was a friend of Deny’s, described him as a “great artist” and a “magnificent person.”
What is ALS?
AMYOTROPHIC lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
It is a debilitating and painful condition in which the motor neurons – cells that control voluntary muscle movement – are gradually lost, leading to people slowly losing control of their bodies.
The average age of diagnosis is about 60 years old, though it can also affect people who are significantly younger.
In the early stages, the symptoms can be subtle, but as the disease progresses, they become more noticeable.
Here’s a look at what to watch out for:
- Weakness in a limb, which develops over a few days or weeks
- Slurred speech or difficulty swallowing
As ALS progresses, you may experience more common symptoms such as:
- Muscle twitching and cramping, especially in the hands and feet
- Loss of control in the hands and arms
- Trouble using your arms and legs
- Tripping or falling more often
- Dropping things
- Extreme fatigue that doesn’t go away
- Uncontrollable laughing or crying
- Slurred or thick speech, and difficulty projecting your voice
In the later stages, ALS can cause:
- Difficulty breathing
- Trouble swallowing food or liquids
- Paralysis
Some of these symptoms may be caused by other health problems.
“I shared with him a passion for soccer that he loved above all else … he was a true enthusiast, and we were still playing together just a year ago like a couple of kids,” the post on X read.
“He had the joy of the game, the joy of being together, the love of effort, of life … That goddamn Charcot’s disease took him away far too soon … it’s so unfair.”
The actor began his career in theatre in the 1980s before moving into film and television.
He was particularly known for his roles in the police series such as “Julie Lescaut” or “Une femme d’honneu”, where he played Captain Philippe Kremen.
He also played the role of Renaud in the soap opera “Demain nous appartien” in which he appeared in 500 episodes.
Most recently, Deny appeared in seasons three and four of Emily in Paris, in which he played Louis de Léon, CEO of fashion giant JVMA.