Award-winning actor and director Arnaud Denis died by euthanasia on May 22, 2026, at the age of 43. The Moliere Award winner, best known for Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Les Femmes Savantes, ended his life in Belgium after years of severe health issues due to ME and complications following the placement of a hernia implant. His lawyer Philippe Courtois confirmed the news to AFP.
Lawyer confirms decision
"The decision taken by Arnaud Denis was made in consultation with three doctors in Namur. His body could no longer carry him. He had lost control of it. Arnaud Denis’s death is the consequence of the intense pain he had been enduring for many months," he said.
Arnaud's issues dated back to July 2023 when he underwent surgery for a right groin hernia, which saw a polypropylene mesh fitted. However, his health deteriorated further after the surgery, and in April 2024, he travelled to America to have it removed.
Health struggles and final message
While that surgery was successful, he continued to suffer lasting effects from the first operation. His quality of life was severely compromised as he became housebound and unable to live the life he had previously.
He posted a touching farewell message on Facebook ahead of his death, which read: "I would like you to stay in touch after my death. My illness is at a very advanced stage, and I have decided to end my life. My thoughts go out to all my brothers and sisters in this struggle"Tomorrow morning (22nd September, ed.) I will leave for Belgium, where I will find my final resting place. After three years, I can’t take it anymore. I have no muscle strength left, nor the ability to digest food. The physical suffering has become truly unbearable.
"I want to make it clear that my personal choice should not influence anyone. My passing must serve to make the public and the healthcare system understand the severity, sometimes with no way out, that severe myalgic encephalomyelitis can represent.
"I hope you will speak out after I’m gone. My condition is extremely severe, and I have chosen to end my life. My thoughts are with all my brothers and sisters in the struggle."I will be leaving for Belgium tomorrow morning to be laid to rest. After three years, I can’t go on any longer. I have lost all muscle strength and digestive function. My physical suffering has become far too severe.
"I want to make it clear that my personal choice should not influence anyone. My passing should help the public and the medical system understand the severity -and sometimes the hopelessness - that severe myalgic encephalomyelitis can represent."
Final social media post
His final social media post was the final scene of the 1978 film Midnight Express, accompanied by the caption: "With all my love to everyone."
