An actor best known in the UK for his role in Netflix's Emily In Paris has passed away at the age of 69. Pierre Deny died following a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS. The actor portrayed Louis de Leon in series three and four of the hit Netflix show, playing the CEO of fashion powerhouse JVMA.

The character was the father of Nicholas de Leon (Paul Forman), who was romantically involved with Emily's best friend Mindy Chen, portrayed by Ashley Park. The heartbreaking news was confirmed by his daughters in a statement which read: "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." Following the announcement, friends and fans alike flooded social media with tributes and condolences. Bulgarian-French singer and actress Sylvie Vartan took to Instagram to write: "It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Pierre Deny.", reports the Mirror.

"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."

Fans on Twitter/X also posted heartfelt messages and fond memories. Luce Mouchel, who played his on-screen wife, wrote: "Seven years filming together, taking the train together, having lunch together in the canteen, sometimes confiding in each other, occasionally inviting each other over and congratulating you on your hidden talent as a cook [...]

"A little over a decade of shared life that shouldn't have ended so quickly and so brutally."

Corinne Touzet, who starred alongside Pierre Deny in "Une femme d'honneur," also shared snaps of the pair on Instagram. On a Story upload, she wrote: "Our beloved Captain Kremen passed away today, it's a devastating blow... So many memories, laughs, days spent together... Something broke today."

Ariane Séguillon sent "all her thoughts to his daughters," while Michèle Bernier also expressed "her sadness."

While many British viewers will recognise him from Emily In Paris, the actor boasted an enormously impressive body of work. He had clocked up appearances in over 500 episodes of the popular French soap opera Demain nous appartient.

ALS is a progressive and fatal neurological condition that attacks motor neurons — the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement. As these cells deteriorate and perish, the brain loses its ability to communicate with the muscles, ultimately resulting in severe weakness, paralysis, and respiratory failure.