Dr. Paul Ekman, Pioneer in the Science of Emotion, Passes Away at 91
Dr. Ekman and Family
San Francisco, CA, November 17, 2025 — The Paul Ekman Group and his family are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Dr. Paul Ekman, a pioneering psychologist whose groundbreaking research transformed our understanding of human emotion, facial expression, deception, and compassion. Dr. Ekman passed away peacefully in his home at the age of 91, surrounded by loved ones.
For over six decades, Dr. Ekman’s work shaped the scientific and cultural landscape of emotion. His laboratory and field-based research in remote regions of the world explored the universality of certain facial expressions and physiological signatures of emotion across cultures. His work revolutionized and stimulated the field of emotion research and inspired applications across psychology, anthropology, education, law enforcement, and many other fields worldwide.
“Paul brought his remarkable intellect, observational skills, and unflagging energy to illuminate the ways we express and feel our emotions and how they are embodied in our physiology. His research, theorizing, and ideas for how emotions could be harnessed in service of the greater good galvanized what was a small niche area of research into a vibrant and thriving research area that will continue to be hugely influenced by his work and vision.”
— Robert W. Levenson, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley
As the creator of the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) and Micro Expression Training Tools, Dr. Ekman provided scientists, practitioners, and the general public with a shared language for reading the face. His collaborations extended from the rigor of academic and applied research to the global stage of conversations on empathy and ethics, most notably through his long friendship and collaboration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The last 25 years of Paul’s career were dedicated to applying his scientific and theoretical contributions to improve the lives of people and promote a more caring and compassionate world. This work included research on the benefits of meditation and a co-authored book and webisode series with the Dalai Lama, Developing Global Compassion. The work inspired by the Dalai Lama also launched the collaboration between Paul and his daughter Eve. Together they helped develop the online Atlas of Emotions, an interactive tool to help build emotional vocabulary and insight, and the training of emotional skills and meditation through Cultivating Emotional Balance.
“My dad’s commitment to rigorous science, love of discovery, and dedication to alleviating pain from destructive emotions were at the very core of his brilliant mind and accomplishments. However, his huge heart and ability to vulnerably share his own struggles with emotions were what made him beloved by so many. He was an incredibly loving dad — a lover of life and unrelentingly curious.”
— Eve Ekman, Ph.D. director of Paul Ekman Group, and contemplative social scientist
Dr. Ekman’s research also reached popular audiences through his bestselling books, including Emotions Revealed and Telling Lies, and the acclaimed television series Lie to Me, which brought the science of micro expressions and deception detection to millions of viewers. He also served as a scientific advisor to Pixar’s Inside Out, helping to bring the science of emotion to audiences of all ages.
Dr. Ekman’s legacy endures through the Paul Ekman Group, under the leadership of his daughter Dr. Eve Ekman, who has guided the organization in recent years and will continue advancing his mission to make emotional awareness, empathy, and truthfulness accessible worldwide through science-based education and training.
He is survived by his children, Eve Ekman and Tom Ekman, and a large, loving community of friends like family.
Honoring Dr. Ekman’s Life and Legacy
We are looking forward to the completion of a documentary celebrating Dr. Ekman’s life and scientific legacy, which is now in development. Those who would like to honor his work by supporting the film’s completion can find more information or contribute here.
In honor of Dr. Ekman’s enduring influence, the Paul Ekman Group is collecting reflections, stories, photographs/films, and messages of appreciation from colleagues, students, and readers around the world to be featured on a memorial page celebrating his life and legacy.
