Hollywood is mourning the loss of a talented director.
Diego Borella, an assistant director of Emily in Paris, died on Aug. 22 while filming the fifth season of the Netflix show in Venice, Italy. He was 47.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm the sudden passing of a member of the Emily in Paris production family,” a Paramount Television Studios spokesperson said in an Aug. 23 statement to E! News. “Our hearts go out to the individual’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
While preparing to film a final scene inside Venice’s historic Hotel Danieli, local outlets reported that Borella collapsed around 7 p.m. local time. Medical staff on set attempted to revive Borella, per multiple outlets, but he died at the scene.
A local doctor, who had rushed to the scene, confirmed the assistant director’s death, per La Repubblica, and stated that he likely died of a “sudden heart attack.”
“Our ambulance arrived at 18.42 (on Thursday evening),” the Venice health service said, per The Independent. “Medics made attempts to resuscitate him. But in the end all efforts proved fruitless. At around 19.30, he was pronounced deceased.”
Production on the final episode of show’s fifth season was temporarily suspended, according to Il Messaggero, following the incident.
