Nathalie Baye

Nathalie Marie Andrée Baye, a French film, television, and stage actress was born on 6 July 1948. She started her career in the acting arena in 1970, gracing more than 80 films with her remarkable performance. Baye garnered acclaim for her stellar acting skills, marked by her ten-time César Award nominations and victories for 'Every Man for Himself' (1980), 'Strange Affair' (1981), 'La Balance' (1982), and 'The Young Lieutenant' (2005). She also gained recognition for her roles in 'Day for Night' (1973), 'Catch Me If You Can' (2002), 'Tell No One' (2006), and 'The Assistant' (2015), with a reputed Chevalier of the Legion of Honour to her name since 2009.

Born to parents Claude Baye and Denise Coustet, both painters, in Mainneville, Normandy, Nathalie Baye's artistic journey began with dance at 14. Following her return from U.S, she married her dance aspirations with her passion for acting, graduating from the Conservatoire in 1972. Baye's cinematic journey escalated from her second cinema appearance in 'Two People' (1973) by Robert Wise, and her embodiment of the 'good girlfriend' or 'nice provincial girl' persona throughout the 70s. Her dynamic acting range expanded as she delved into playing more diverse and obscure characters post her image changing performance in 'La Balance'. All this, while her personal life with Johnny Hallyday and their daughter Laura Smet, also an actress, kept her in the celebrity spotlight.