Nathalie Baye, 77, passes away after battling Lewy body disease
Nathalie Baye had been keeping a low profile lately while fighting a disease that ultimately took her life. Like Catherine Laborde or Robin Williams, the actress was affected at the end of her life by Lewy body disease, a neurodegenerative condition. Baye was weakened in her final days, as revealed by Gerard Lanvin, who saw her a year before her passing. Laura Smet, who had been living in the southwest, made the decision in 2025 to return to Paris to be by her mother’s side. The sad news of Nathalie Baye’s death was announced over the weekend. She passed away on Friday, April 17, at the age of 77.
Many tributes pour in after Nathalie Baye’s passing
Following her death, tributes have been pouring in, including one from her daughter with Johnny Hallyday, Laura Smet. On Sunday, Smet found the strength to post a touching message on Instagram. Dominique Besnehard, who knew Baye well as her agent for 20 years, also expressed his sorrow. The talent agent mentioned the exemplary courage of Laura Smet in the face of her mother’s loss. He also reminisced to Le Parisien about the moments he shared with the actress, including her instrumental role in Baye’s participation in the film “Catch Me If You Can” with Leonardo DiCaprio, who eventually nicknamed her his “Parisian mom.”
Nathalie Baye’s little corner of paradise in Creuse
The creator of the series “Call My Agent” also recalled the vacations he spent at Nathalie Baye’s property in Creuse. In the 80s and 90s, the actress spent a lot of time at her nature-surrounded home, where she had a romance with Johnny Hallyday. It was not uncommon for locals to see them shopping together in the village. Attached to her property, Baye could become less gentle if she felt threatened, as explained by Dominique Besnehard. Baye adored nature and would lash out if she felt her privacy was intruded upon. In fact, one of her neighbors made that mistake, leading Baye to show her fierce side. After her split from Johnny Hallyday, she continued to visit her home in Creuse until she sold it around 2008 for approximately 600,000 euros. Unfortunately, the property today lies in ruins.
