A heartbreaking tragedy is sending shockwaves through the film world.
French actor Nadia Fares has died at 57 after being found unconscious in a swimming pool at a gym in Paris.
Officials have opened an investigation into her death.
Left a big mark on television
Born in Morocco, Nadia Fares rose to international recognition in 2000 with her breakout performance in The Crimson Rivers, directed by Mathieu Kassovitz.
She went on to build a diverse career, appearing in films like the 2007 action thriller War and the horror feature Storm Warning, bringing intensity and presence to every role she took on.
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She also left a mark on television, notably starring opposite Gérard Depardieu in Netflix’s political drama Marseille from 2016 to 2018.
Nadia Fares attends the “Monsieur Aznavour” Premiere at Le Grand Rex on October 22, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/WireImage)
According to Le Monde, Fares had been set to start filming a new action-comedy in September 2026, what would have been her first project as both a director and screenwriter – but that plan will now never come to fruition.
IT was Fares daughters who confirmed her death to French news agency AFP on Friday, April 17.
”It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Nadia Farès this Friday,” daughters Cylia and Shana Chasman said in a written statement to AFP.
”France has lost a great artist, but for us, it is above all a mother we have just lost.”
Fell into a coma
Fares was found unconscious in a swimming pool at a private gym in Paris on Sunday, April 11. She had suffered cardiac arrest and fell into a coma before later passing away on Friday at the city’s Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital.
Authorities have since launched an investigation into her death, though officials told Le Monde that no foul play has been identified so far.
The outlet also noted that in 2007, Farès revealed she had undergone brain surgery after being diagnosed with an aneurysm, which she described at the time as “a ticking time bomb that needed to be treated urgently.” She had also previously shared that she underwent three heart surgeries.
PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 08: Nadia Fares attends the “Toujours Possible” Premiere at Cinema Le Balzac on September 08, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Antoine Flament/WireImage)
In a heartfelt Instagram post shared on Saturday, April 18, Fares’ daughter Cylia opened up about her grief, calling her mother’s passing “a heartbreak I will never get over.”
“It pains me to say goodbye, but mama, I will make you so proud,” she wrote in an emotional tribute. “I am so happy that we got even closer than we were before in your last few months. You understood me better than anyone and I don’t know how I will recover. People always say I’m mini you and that’s the best compliment.”
Reflecting on their bond, she continued: “You were so loved and you were my role model, every achievement I had I was always so excited to tell you first because I knew how proud of me you would be. You were not only an amazing mom but my best friend. …I love you, please watch over me. You have shown me how fast life can change literally overnight. I will take that with me every day and make every day count for you.”
