The French cinema world is mourning one of its greatest actresses. Nathalie Baye passed away, as reported by Le Parisien on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Her family announced in a statement that the actress passed away at her home in Paris on Friday, April 17, 2026, after battling Lewy body disease. The French cinema industry has lost one of its most wonderful performers, and Laura Smet has lost her mother.
For Laura Smet, who followed in her mother’s footsteps to become an actress, this loss is immeasurable. The mother-daughter duo always shared an extremely close and respectful relationship filled with admiration. Nathalie Baye once said, “Being a mother makes life less light but so much more beautiful and richer.” As a highly sought-after actress, Nathalie Baye managed to balance her passion for acting with taking care of her daughter Laura by refusing distant filming opportunities. She believed in giving her full presence to her daughter when not working.
Laura Smet expressed her sorrow on Instagram after her mother’s passing, saying, “I lost half of my heart, she was the best mother in the world. I send you these few words without really believing it yet, but I wanted to thank you for all your messages and words that touch me immensely. I love her so much. Take care of yourselves and your loved ones, it is so precious.”
Laura Smet has closed comments on her post but has received tender words of support from personalities like Alice Isaaz, Paul Belmondo, Pedro Alves, and Sarah Poniatowski. In this time of grief, Laura Smet will find comfort in her husband Raphaël Lancrey-Javal, father of her son, and her godfather Dominique Besnehard, a close friend of Nathalie Baye.
Laura Smet’s post can be viewed here.
