Nathalie Baye, one of France's most celebrated and decorated film stars, has died at the age of 77. French media report that she passed away at her home in Paris on Friday evening due to a form of dementia, specifically Lewy body dementia, as confirmed by her family to the AFP news agency.

Born into a bohemian family of artists in Normandy in 1948, Baye began her career as a dancer before transitioning to acting. Her breakthrough came in 1973 with François Truffaut's comedy "La nuit américaine" (titled "Day for Night" in English), a role she landed fresh out of drama school, as reported by Le Monde.

Over a career spanning five decades, Baye appeared in some 80 films and became one of France's most awarded actresses. She won four César Awards: in 1981 for her supporting role in Jean-Luc Godard's dark comedy "Sauve qui peut (la vie)", in 1982 for "Une étrange affaire", and in 1983 for her leading role in "La Balance". She was also named Best Actress at the 1999 Venice Film Festival for her performance in "Une liaison pornographique" ("An Affair of Love").

In later years, Baye took on high-profile international projects, including Steven Spielberg's 2002 film "Catch Me if You Can", where she played the mother of Leonardo DiCaprio's character. She also appeared in a parody of herself in the acclaimed series "Call My Agent!" alongside her daughter, actress Laura Smet, and portrayed a French aristocrat in the second "Downton Abbey" film. Her final on-screen role was in the 2023 Franco-Lebanese drama "La nuit du verre d'eau".

French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute, stating that Baye was "an actress with whom we loved, dreamed and grew up". Culture Minister Catherine Pégard remarked that she had "lit up a long chapter in the history of French cinema with her talent and radiant personality". Away from acting, Baye was known for publicly supporting climate action and reforms to France's assisted dying legislation.

Source: www.bbc.com