On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival opened. Celebrities from around the world gathered at the Grand Théâtre Lumière at the Palais des Festivals. Before welcoming the jury members, Eye Haidara, the host, paid tribute to the memory of Nathalie Baye, who passed away on April 17 at the age of 77.
“Before welcoming the jury members of this 79th edition, allow me a thought for a remarkable actress, capable of saying so much with so little, a woman of immense elegance and infinite delicacy towards others,” said the actress who appeared in the film “Le Sens de la Fête.” A montage of several photographs showcasing Nathalie Baye’s greatest roles was projected on the big screen at the Palais des Festivals.
Laura Smet thanked Eye Haïdara for the tribute to Nathalie Baye. The homage deeply touched Laura Smet, the daughter of Nathalie Baye. In response to a message posted by Eye Haidara on Instagram on Wednesday, May 13, thanking everyone who participated in the opening ceremony, Laura Smet replied with a brief and elegant note: “Thank you for my mother… and congratulations, you were masterful,” wrote the 42-year-old actress.
Nathalie Baye first walked the red carpet in 1973 for the film “La Nuit Américaine” by François Truffaut. She had made multiple appearances on the red carpet since then. It was only fitting that a tribute be paid to her by the professionals of the Seventh Art. The former wife of the iconic singer Johnny Hallyday had retired from acting due to suffering from Lewy body disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that caused memory loss. She passed away at her home in Paris on Friday, April 17, 2026.
Laura Smet delivered a touching message at Nathalie Baye’s funeral. Many celebrities from the world of cinema, such as Catherine Deneuve, Fanny Ardant, and Francis Huster, gathered at St. Sulpice church on April 24 to bid her a final farewell. At the end of the ceremony, Laura Smet spoke: “I still wanted to say a few words about her. My mother was someone true, tender, fair, and strong. She always took care of others more than herself. She was curious about everything, everyone.”
