The French actress Nathalie Baye died at 77, a victim of Lewy body dementia, as reported to AFP by the family. Baye, who appeared in *Downton Abbey II: A New Era*, leaves a legacy of more than eight decades in cinema.
## Career and major roles
### Beginnings and rise
– Entered TV with the series *Au Théâtre Ce Soir*.
– Gained visibility in *American Night* (1973).
### Film highlights
– *Catch Me If You Can* – played Leonardo DiCaprio’s mother.
– *La Balance*, *The Young Lieutenant*, *Laurence Anyways* and *It’s Just the End of the World*.
– In *Downton Abbey II: A New Era*, she portrayed the French aristocrat Madame de Montmirail.
## Recognition and tributes
– First César (French Oscar) in 1981, as supporting actress in *Every Man for Himself*.
– Won three more statuettes throughout her career.
– French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute on social media, highlighting her contribution to cinema from François Truffaut to Tonie Marshall.
## Family
– Survived by daughter Laura Smet, from her relationship with singer Johnny Hallyday.
Nathalie Baye’s loss marks the end of an era for French cinema and fans worldwide.
