Legend of the Nouvelle Vague Star Nathalie Baye Dies at 77

France’s Nouvelle Vague icon, François Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard’s muse, the beloved French actress Nathalie Baye, has died in Paris on the 17th (local time). She was 77.

Born in 1948 in Normandy, France, the late actress began her on-screen career in 1972, before gaining worldwide attention through director Truffaut’s “Day for Night” (1973). She went on to appear one after another in masterpieces that would endure in film history—such as Truffaut’s “The Green Room” (1978) and Godard’s “Every Man for Himself” (1980)—cementing herself as a face that symbolized the Nouvelle Vague. Her outstanding acting was recognized with four César Awards, France’s highest-profile film honor.

Her path was not confined to the French film world. In 2002, she appeared as a supporting actress in Hollywood’s “Catch Me If You Can”, leaving a strong impression on audiences. In addition, during the 1980s, she made headlines by marrying the legendary French rock star Johnny Hallyday. The film world around the globe is deeply mourning the loss of a great actress who led France’s golden age of cinema.