French actress Nathalie Baye, best known for her acclaimed film career and role in Downton Abbey: A New Era, has been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, according to reports from her family.
Lewy body dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease and causes a progressive decline in thinking, memory, and movement. Symptoms can include hallucinations, confusion, muscle stiffness, tremors, and difficulty walking.
Born in 1948, Baye became one of France’s most celebrated actresses, winning four César Awards and starring in films including Day for Night, La Balance, and Catch Me If You Can. Most recently, she appeared as Madame Montmirail in Downton Abbey: A New Era.