Paul was a brilliant, big, lovable force. He gave so much to a world which really needs to understand emotions. I remember talking with him before his first visit to the Dalai Lama. He asked what might prepare him and I said it’s like meeting Thomas Jefferson and Saint Francis in one. And you are the perfect person to collaborate because you have the ability to see in a deep way yourself.

Wherever you are Paul, now you can let go into the pure clear light.
Blessings, Jack.

– Jack Kornfield

Paul was a wonderful mentor. I first met him when I was a post-doctoral fellow at the University of California, San Francisco. Even though I was not in any way connected to Paul, he took me under his wing, allowed me to attend his lab meetings, and guided my early career moves. I have a dear memory of that time: I was offered a faculty job in a psychology department on the East Coast. I was ambivalent about the job, and even contemplated giving up my career in Psychology. I sought Paul’s advice and he suggested we talk a walk in nearby Golden Gate Park. We talked and walked and talked and walked, and eventually stumbled upon an ongoing baseball game. We sat in the bleachers and continued our discussion until, eventually, we both fell silent and watched the game. Paul looked over at me, smiled, and said, “Take the job.” I followed his advice and have enjoyed over 30 years of a wonderfully fulfilling career. Thank you, Paul!

– George Bonanno

I honestly think Paul Ekman’s research on emotions should be shared with every autistic person. I found his work years ago, at a moment when I was trying to understand why recognizing other people’s emotions felt so hard for me. Discovering his research was like someone finally turning on the lights.

Later, when I was diagnosed as a highly functional autistic adult, everything made sense in a way it never had before. All those years of feeling “off” in social situations, of missing cues, of trying to guess what people were feeling—it suddenly had an explanation, and Ekman’s work became a kind of guide for me.

I’ve read almost everything he’s written and even completed the online training. It didn’t magically fix everything, but it changed how I move through the world. I’m more in tune with my own emotions, and I understand others in a way I didn’t think was possible for me before.

His research helped me understand myself and others better.

– Li

Dr. Paul Ekman’s work helped me immeasurably, as a late-diagnosed autistic. Without him, I would still be a lost boy in a world of emotions which are alien to me. Having studied his work, however, I am even more adept at spotting, and recognising emotions than most of the neurotypical folks in my life!

My sincerest condolences to all those who knew and loved Dr. Ekman.

Thank you, Dr. Ekman, for helping me to get through life, and may you sleep easy now, having completed your own.

– Glen Lane

Although I never had the privilege of meeting Dr. Ekman personally, his teachings had a profound and lasting impact on my life. For many years, I struggled with anxiety and often felt lost when trying to understand how others were feeling during interactions. Facial expressions, emotional cues, and micro-reactions all felt like a language I simply couldn’t read.

Once I was able to overcome the anxiety that clouded my perception, Dr. Ekman’s work became a turning point. His research and training tools opened the door to a completely new level of interpersonal awareness. They helped me understand people more clearly, communicate more effectively, and recognize the subtle emotional signals that shape our everyday interactions. His teachings didn’t just help me read faces, they helped me connect with people in a more compassionate, attuned, and human way.

I am deeply grateful for the clarity, confidence, and empathy his work brought into my life. Dr. Ekman’s legacy lives on not only in the scientific community, but also in every person, like me, who learned to see others, and themselves, with greater understanding because of his contributions.

May his memory continue to inspire emotional awareness, truthfulness, and compassion in the lives of all who encounter his remarkable work.

– Douglas B

It is with deep sadness that I have learned of Paul Ekman’s demise. Ever since the early seventies I have worked with Paul on researching the expression and communication of emotion, with the emphasis on facial expression on his side and vocal expression on my side, yielding a number of joint research projects combining the two. In addition, we collaborated on the publication of contributed volumes on different theoretical approaches to emotion and a handbook of methods in nonverbal behavior research. We always strongly felt that affective science needed increased contact and exchange of scientists working on emotion within different disciplines and thus collaborated in getting the International Society for Research on Emotion (ISRE) under way. Needless to say, the close collaboration with Paul over several decades has had a tremendous impact on my scientific career. In addition, we shared a passion for nature and hiking as well as traditional British theater. With Paul and his wife, Mary Ann, my wife Ursula and I shared many precious experiences in various parts of Europe and the USA, which we still fondly remember.

– Klaus R. Scherer, emeritus, University of Geneva (which awarded Paul Ekman a doctorate honoris causa in 2007)

Dr. Paul Ekman’s research on emotions profoundly influenced both my scientific career and my personal life. He co-created the Cultivating Emotional Balance (CEB) program with Dr. B. Alan Wallace and Dr. Eve Ekman, which has been a cornerstone of my journey. I first learned about CEB during the Mind and Life Summer Research Institute in 2004, and when the teacher training was launched, I eagerly traveled to Thailand to join the inaugural group. Although his classes had to be conducted online due to a health issue, I had the privilege of studying with him, Eve, and Alan. Years later, I had the opportunity to meet him in person in California. My passion for emotion research began with his articles and books, and more recently, I published my own book, Emoções: como lidar? (Emotions: How to Deal with Them?), in Portuguese. Today, I serve as a CEB teacher trainer alongside my dear friend Jeanne Pilli in Brazil. None of these experiences in my life would have been possible without his pioneering work. Thank you so much!

– Elisa Harumi Kozasa

When Dr. Ekman first began putting out his website, in the 2000’s, I contacted him about my work with Probation, Sheriff’s and Educational institutions and he approved me for being one of his first persons to use his material.

Introducing this process what new to everyone and they had a very fun time learning about the 7 different facial expressions. Without hesitation I can report that none of my participants had ever had any training like Dr. Ekman’s.

Today, after all these years I still do this training with the CSU, Fresno Criminal Justice students and teachers, counselors, and administrators online with Fresno Pacific University, all over the U.S.

– Jon F. Morse, Sr./JM Consulting

I am truly saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Ekman. Paul influenced my work as an Operational Psychologist and Police Officer with the RCMP. He was a kind, compassionate man who readily shared his work on subtle and micro expressions as we worked together on police interviewing skills. You will be missed my friend.

– Matt Logan Ph.D.

I have not met Dr. Ekman, and I have come to research just recently, but i find it has been transformative in how I complete my duties at work. I work at a Large Maximum Security Jail and I am the Team Lead for a Crisis Negotiation Team. We use Dr. Ekman’s work routinely in our negotiations with inmates who are participating in mental health crises, disturbances/riots, hostage takings, and a wide variety of dangerous activities. I use the resources from Dr. Ekman to keep my team and my correctional staff safe on a daily basis through our increased understanding of emotions, facial expressions, and masking expressions. His work has been a major contributor to our success.
I am saddened to hear of his passing. His legacy will live on through the lives he continues to touch through his ground breaking research.

– Rob Hamilton

Dear Family of Dr. Paul Ekman,

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Paul Ekman. Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this time of profound loss.

Dr. Ekman’s remarkable life and work touched countless people around the world, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. Beyond his extraordinary professional contributions, he will be remembered for the depth of his humanity and the impact he had on those who knew him, worked with him, and learned from him.
Over the past two years, thanks to Dr. Paul Ekman, I have been able to learn and grow in ways I had never imagined before. His teachings, through his books and his work on communication, allowed me to develop in every aspect of my life. This learning truly propelled me into another dimension, both personally and intellectually.

For this, I hold immense gratitude and deep respect. A very great thank you to Dr. Paul Ekman — one of the greatest men of this century — whose influence will continue to live on through the many lives he transformed.

May you find comfort in knowing how profoundly he impacted people across the world, and may his memory bring you strength, peace, and solace in the days ahead.

With deepest sympathy,
Marsid Veshaj

Dr. Paul’s books had defining influence on me. I’ve read his books before watching “Lie to Me” and then I rewatched the show a few times while reading his notes/comments of actors expressions.
Now he is my guiding light.

I came across Mr. Ekmans work back in 2003 I think it was when I studied Neuropsychology and wanted to better understand the Psychology of lying which I think is the largest problem globally today. I composed a work for a small section- worth 3 weeks of work I do believe which has influenced me ever since.

I asked random people about their background – making them invent a fictional background for themselves: saying it was about imagination. Then to tell me that and the actual backround and I would try to distinguish between the two after reading Mr. Ekman’s material. The idea being I should push past a 50% ratio with the lessons therein. It worked very well and I made some secondary discoveries- people who are not fluent in a language (I interviewed one German) exhibit the same signs as lying when trying to think of correct words. This prompted the idea that thats one of the major reasons why you have translators in major assemblys- it gives you extra time to think.

– Daniel Pramner

Dr Ekman was a pre eminent scientist who greatly influenced my work both legally and ethically

– James Devlin

Deeply saddened to have heard the news of Dr.Ekman’s passing, whilst undertaking my dissertation. Was comforted by hearing he was surrounded by his family. Will always remain in awe of the doctor’s work and groundbreaking achievements.

– An RVN Wales, UK

In honour of Dr. Paul Ekman and his family. My booklet, about the intimate link between 6 basic emotions and the 12 Western musical notes, was published on the day of your passing. Your research was the primary source and is proving to be an enduring legacy. Dank om de weg te tonen. Contact me for collaborative research at

– Hans Jochems

Good day. Thanks to Dr. Ekman, I knew from a very young age the inner capacity I had to discover the world of emotions and expressions, to understand their meaning. I still retain this ability thanks to him. For me, it is an honor to have known Dr. Paul Ekman through books, photos, and the TV series “Lie to Me.” He was an inspiration to me. I am very proud of what he taught us.

Sincerely, Carlos Rodríguez from Bogotá, Colombia

Many years ago when I sat with the District Attorney, he asked me if the women who was seated with him at that time was guilty?, I replied ‘How can she be guilty such a beautiful women’… The District Attorney smiled at me and said that she was very much guilty. I was surprised. When the Serial ‘Lie to me’ came on Belgium television I became very interested and found out that Dr. Ekman was a great source of information for the serial. So I came to Dr. Ekmans Group and learned a lot from his teachings.

Hoping to learn more and more, he is truly leaving a grand legacy behind a great source of wisdom. Thank you Dr. Ekman and the Dr. Ekman Group for all this wonderful knowledge.

– Jimmy Coryn

Paul Ekman It was important to me, even though I never met him. Yet it all started in 2022, I was 12 years old, when I started reading his book “The Faces of Lies”. I liked it very much, which is why it is my favorite book in sooluto, Paul Ekman brought me closer to psychology, on facial expressions, he made me enter that beautiful world. I am really so sad about his loss, I feel like I have experienced it firsthand. After that I started reading others in books, I have read them all. He was so good, so was everyone. His books are so interesting that you reread them many times. Now I’m 16 years old and I can say that Paul Ekman is always going to be my psychologist, favorite writer. Thanks to him I only want to read books on psychology. Paul Ekman to I love you, thank you so much for everything xx

– Edu Nau

Thank you for all your teaching, the world is a little less bright now you have left us.

– Ian Mason

When my mother died, I became her trustee. In a tense family meeting after her death, to settle her trust, I had an uneasy, distrustful feeling about one of my brothers’ requests in settling her trust. I didn’t believe him, and I thought he was lying–but I didn’t know what to base those feelings on. I was stubborn about my intuition, but I didn’t have anything objective to prove it.

Soon after that meeting, I searched for ways to know when someone is lying–and that’s when I came across Dr. Ekman’s books and online trainings. It turns out my brother had been showing all kinds of signals and microexpressions indicating that he was lying. That new knowledge enabled me to have much more confidence in my observations of my brother, which ultimately allowed me to be fairer in the final settlements for all of us beneficiaries.

With deep sorrow we bid farewell to Paul Ekman, one of the most influential scientists in the field of facial expression research.

His Facial Action Coding System (FACS) laid the foundation for systematically capturing and understanding emotions through the most subtle facial movements.

Since the late 1970s, his work has resonated strongly in Europe as well. I myself have worked with FACS since 1978 – in emotion research, the study of interpersonal relationships, and psychotherapy research. Several European FACS conferences that I organized were enriched by Paul Ekman’s inspiring lectures. He was always a welcome guest, whose passion and clarity left a lasting mark on the scientific community.

Generations of students at the Institute of Psychology at the university have completed the FACS Final Test and applied the method in their diploma, master’s, and doctoral theses. In this way, his legacy continues in research and teaching, shaping how we understand human emotions to this day.

With Paul Ekman we lose a researcher whose curiosity, precision, and unwavering belief in the importance of facial expressions for human interaction have inspired generations. His work will endure – in the methods, the insights, and the people who learned and conducted research through him.

Our sympathy goes out to his family, his friends, and all those who had the privilege of working with him.
Dr. Eva Bänninger-Huber, University of Innsbruck

Professor Ekman’s remarkable and distinguished corpus of discovery extended most effectively to the study of pain in human and non-human animals as there are relatively stereotyped facial displays associated with acute and exacerbation of chronic pain amenable to study through the Facial Action Coding System. For example:
Craig, K.D., Versloot, J., Goubert, L., Vervoort, T., & Crombez, G. (2010). Perceiving others in pain: Automatic and controlled
mechanisms. Journal of Pain, 11, 101-108. Langford, D.J., Bailey, A.L., Chanda, M.L., Clarke, S.E., Drummond, T.E., Echols, S., Glick, S., Ingrao, J., Klassen-Ross, T., LaCroix-Fralish, M.L., Matsumiya, L., Sorge, R.E., Sotocinal, S.G., Tabaka, J.M., Wong, D., van den Maagdenberg, A.M.J.M., Ferrari, M.D., Craig, K.D., and Mogil, J.S. (2010). Coding of facial expressions of pain in the laboratory mouse. Nature Methods. 7(6), 447-449.

I only met Paul on one occasion, but he had a profound impact on my research career.

– Kenneth Craig

I read him for years, but I only met Paul Eckman once. It was at a Stanford Conference featuring His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I was a panelist, and there was a handout everyone for all attendees that included photos of everyone in the program.

When I had the chance I came to greet, thank and introduce myself, and Dr. Eckman, who had looked at so many faces so keenly for so long, took one look at me and said in a profesionally kind, fatherly voice, “Don’t ever use that photo again.”

I’ve enjoyed and benefitted from his writing so much, used it in my classes, always admired him and what has flowed from his brilliance and open heart.

– Anne Klein

Reading Paul’s books opened my heart, mind and soul to understand emotions in ways I never had. Thank you so much much, Paul!
Lovingly Lizy

– Lizy Stewart

Je suis tellement en choc je savais pas qu’il étais décédé, J’ai connus Paul Ekman, que j’ai pratiquement étudié tous ces livres et aussi en ligne dans le domaine de la religion catholique envers des gens vicieux et noir mais grâce à la science de dr Paul Ekman J’ai pu découvrir des choses quand même que j’étais débutant, le plus important est que j’ai réussi A faire dire des choses et l’intention derrière l’engagement donc ce qui m’était destiner donc refusant de faire des vœux perpétuel pour devenir frère d’une congrégation .

– Erick Bisson

Thank you, dear Paul Ekman, for your dedication and passion in researching human behavior. Thank you for being such a wonderful human being. Thank you for teaching me almost everything I know about body language. I send you a big hug and a “farewell” from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Hugo Lescano
Director of the Nonverbal Communication Research Laboratory

Love Paul Ekman. I wonder how many folks finally feel validated in ways they had long given up on once they began reading his work? After years of dismissal as being somehow ‘less than’ they learned what a cornucopia of strength, beauty and ways to look at things and people there really are—not to mention new ways of communicating because he took the time to observe, listen and study.

God bless him and his family at this time!

– Terah Wieland

I am a master’s student from China, and I am currently researching for my dissertation. This dissertation is about anger, and since it involves the classification of emotions, I naturally came across Professor Ekman’s research. While updating my research materials, I came across the news of Professor Ekman’s passing. I am grateful for his numerous and outstanding contributions to emotion research. Finally, I offer my deepest condolences.

– Hang

Even though I never had the chance to meet Paul Ekman personally, he was always present in my life in a special way. His research and personality accompanied me throughout my studies and inspired me far beyond the academic world. I am and will remain a huge Paul Ekman fan – deeply grateful for everything I learned from his work. His extraordinary legacy will continue to guide me, enrich my own work, and constantly remind me how powerful and human research can be.

– Scheicher Petra

I have been inspired by Dr Paul Ekman’ research in my life journey to seek our true almighty God who is Good and Truth.

The world feels a little dimmer without Dr Paul Ekman, but his light will never fade. Rest in peace. Thank you for everything.

I am sending you a legal article published in a Spanish legal journal about Paul Ekman and his contribution to the criminal process

– Jason Zhao

I am sending you a legal article published in a Spanish legal journal about Paul Ekman and his contribution to the criminal
process.

– ANGEL JUAN NIETO GARCIA

Paul Ekman was my inspiration to pursue Psychology as a specialisation & later the more intricate study of empathy & human behaviour. His impact is profound be it from Lie to Me & other entertainment media, down to the scientific rigor he displayed in his literature. Ekman created conversation & opened doors around human behaviours & he will always be the father of micro-expressions. His absence will be felt but his impact & influence never forgotten.

– Liz Jacobs

Dr. Ekman’s work shaped the foundation of the field I practice in today. I studied nonverbal communication, emotional expression, and behavioral signals through programs in both the United States and Russia, and every expert and school I learned from referenced his research as the core of their curriculum. While I was growing in my own professional path, his name and the scientific foundation he built became a central part of my work.

His contributions are respected internationally and will continue to guide practitioners for generations. His influence will remain deeply relevant, especially as nonverbal interpretation becomes increasingly important in the evolving era of AI.

My sincere condolences to the Ekman family and the Paul Ekman Group. His legacy will continue to live in all of us who build on the principles he discovered and generously shared with the world.

– Tatiana Teppoeva, PhD
Nonverbal Intelligence and Executive Presence Expert
United States, WA

Dr. Ekman’s work profoundly inspired my own research journey, sparking my curiosity in human expression within and across cultures. His research led me to pursue a PhD in International Psychology and a career dedicated to exploring applications of cross-cultural nonverbal communication in rapport-building. His legacy to the study of human behavior exists not only in the contributions he made, but in the people he inspired to continue on this work.

– Tania Blake

Eve, I am so sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of your family.

We were neighbors in Inverness until we moved away in 1991. You and our eldest daughter Jessica would play together. Climbingtrees, grooming ponies, fun at the beach..lovely childhood memories.

Sending you love and peace.
– Janice Kehoe Beaton

Спасибо за то, что благодаря вам сняли классный сериал «Обмани меня». Покойся с миром, Пол! RIP

Deeply saddened by this news, I have been bringing his studies into university classrooms for years, and it feels almost as if I knew him personally. I believe that those who are familiar with his research and his discoveries about the complexity of the world of emotions will keep him alive by studying and teaching his work.

– Isabella Alberici

Paul Ekman deeply influenced my studies and his work inspired much of my own professional development.
I’m deeply grateful. His theories on emotions helped me understand that, at our core, we are all the same: we feel the same things, and in many ways, we express them in similar ways.

His passing has truly touched my heart. My warmest condolences to his family, from an Italian living in Norway.

– Eva Teresi

Dr. Ekman was the first person who made me realize that my special sensitivity to what a person conveyed through their gestures wasn’t madness or wishful thinking, but rather a valuable lesson quite common among those of us who come from homes with particularly difficult parents. I believe one of the most beautiful consequences of his work is that he taught us to distance ourselves from prejudice about ourselves and others; he taught us to observe and to observe ourselves with more love and understanding.

Thank you, Dr. Ekman, for the example of a life well-lived.

– Jvanesa

Sin duda un gran hombre dedicado a su mas grande pasión. A través de sus textos y de su Linkedin uno sentía esa pasión vibrar.

Mi mas sentido pésame a sus familiares y sin ninguna duda el mundo se queda con un hueco enorme.

– Carlos Estrada

(TO EVA EKMAN)
Hi, Eva, sweetie, so sorry for Paul’s death, with whom we shared time, intellectual interests and friendship during the 60s and 70s (we are of the same age). We maintained occasional warm contact since then in both SF and DC. If I remember correctly, both of you also landed at our house in the Berkshires for a visit. I have many sweet memories with your folks, sadly no longer shared.

As an aside, you may or may not know that I also officiated your parents’ wedding. I have several photos from that occasion. If you are interested, I will be glad to send you copies. One way or another, a big hug, my condolences, and my love.

– Carlos

While I never had the chance to meet Dr. Ekman personally, his work has had a profound impact on me. Like so many others, I was first introduced to the fascinating science of emotion through the show Lie to Me. It was more than just entertainment; it was a window into a deeper understanding of human nature.

I will always remember the powerful opening scene of Lie to Me, where Dr. Cal Lightman, during a lecture on the universality of microexpressions, shattered a mug against a wall. In that split second, he demonstrated that an authentic expression of surprise is universal, involuntary, and fleeting—a perfect echo of Dr. Ekman’s real-world research. His work on facial expressions and microexpressions was not only incredibly interesting but also deeply useful, providing a lens through which to better understand the people around me.

His legacy is not just in textbooks or labs, but in the minds of everyone who, like me, learned to look a little closer and understand a little deeper. He gave us a language for the silent conversations happening on our faces every day.
Thank you, Dr. Ekman, for your curiosity, your rigor, and for sharing your brilliant mind with the world. Your work has truly made it a more perceptive and compassionate place. You will be deeply missed, but your legacy will continue to inspire.

– Carlos Sluzki

Soy de Nicaragua. Supe del Doctor Ekman cuando tenía alrededor de 25 años, ahora tengo 45. Me hizo ver a las personas de forma diferente. Fue un gran impacto para mí saber que a pesar de ser de épocas diferente, culturas diferentes, razas, etnias, países diferentes todos teníamos algo en común, las expresiones faciales, la forma como reaccionamos a la vida diaria. Me ayudó mucho en mi carrera profesional, me hubiese gustado conocerlo, pero ahora solo le diré hasta pronto Doctor Ekman.

Muchas gracias por su legado.

– Estrella Luna

Thanks to the invaluable legacy of Dr. Paul Ekman, my understanding of facial microexpressions deepened enormously. His work helped me comprehend the reasons behind the most subtle human reactions—knowledge I found so revealing and fascinating that I decided to make a radical turn in my career.

My fascination was such that I founded my own consulting firm on the subject. My mission is to help others master this art so they can apply it in practical and transformative ways, both in their personal and professional lives.

In Dr. Ekman, I found the spark of motivation that my life and career were missing. Thank you, Dr. Paul Ekman! We will always honor your work. We commit not only to multiplying your precious legacy for the world but also to honoring it by contributing our own experience to enrich it and take it even further.

– Marla Espinosa

Studying microexpressions helped me to understand not only human emotion but the preemptive movements or steps to where actions ultimately occur or the direction they’re going. Thank you Dr. Ekman!

– Waun Brown

I honestly think Paul Ekman’s research on emotions should be shared with every autistic person. I found his work years ago, at a moment when I was trying to understand why recognizing other people’s emotions felt so hard for me. Discovering his research was like someone finally turning on the lights.

Later, when I was diagnosed as a highly functional autistic adult, everything made sense in a way it never had before. All those years of feeling “off” in social situations, of missing cues, of trying to guess what people were feeling—it suddenly had an explanation, and Ekman’s work became a kind of guide for me.

I’ve read almost everything he’s written and even completed the online training. It didn’t magically fix everything, but it changed how I move through the world. I’m more in tune with my own emotions, and I understand others in a way I didn’t think was possible for me before.

His research helped me understand myself and others better.

No tuve el honor de conocerle en persona, pero cuando era estudiante de psicología y casi todo era “psicoanálisis”,
“conductismo” y poco había sobre cómo funciona el mundo de las emociones, fue una grata sorpresa encontrar que había alguien en la ciencia que sí prestaba atención a ellas… Le debemos mucho no solo en la psicología y/o las neurociencias, también ha dejado un gran legado en la humanidad; su trabajo fue el principio de los avances que hoy en día hay y de los que están por venir. Gracias, gracias, gracias

– Ana Karina

Thank you to Paul Ekman for playing a pivotal role in catalyzing the field of affective science! I am likely one of many who never met him but voraciously read his work and became inspired by it.

– Jennifer Lerner

I value and cherish the time that I worked with Paul at PEG as its bookkeeper. Although we had some very challenging times and personalities to contend with, overall the experience was one of growth and opportunity for me. I will forever be grateful to Paul and Mary Anne for providing those opportunities.

The most memorable occasion was attending the presentation of the Atlas of Emotions to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in AFreneenaheim July 2015 as Paul’s guest.

– Debra Kay

I knew, respected, liked, and interacted with Paul for decades.

We actually “knew each other” before we met. Paul spent part of his childhood residing at 4 Walnut Court, South Orange, New Jersey. In 1947 or 1948, I believe his mother comitted suicide. In the garage of that house. In spring 1948, my family moved into 4 Walnut Court. I was not yet 14. I didn’t find out about the tragic events for Paul and his family until years later. And I am still not sure of the details. It was “just one of those things.”

But the coincidences don’t stop there. When Paul moved to NY city he lived on Horatio Street. So did I. But we never met. I am not sure that we were there at the same time, in the 1960s. But when we finally did meet and exchanged bio-details we learned about our co-existence.

My biggest stretch of time and sharing of interests came in the 1970s and after. I was working on developing “performance theory” and “performance studies.” I was training actors who were in The Performance Group, the NY experimental theatre company I founded in 1967 (formally in 1968). As part of that work, I was of course interested in learning all that I could about the expression of emotions. I was also writing theory about acting and actor training. When I traveled to India for the first time in 1971, I saw the training at the kathakali kalamandalam in Kerala. I noted how the actors practice specific facial expressions to communicate emotions. At about the same time, I learned about Paul’s work studying and cataloging facial expressions. I reached out and we met. Our work deeply intersected.

I won’t go into the details except to say that from that time on, we kept in touch with each other. I used Paul’s findings in my work, both in terms of training and in terms of developing theory. For some of Paul’s work, he used actors I trained to “make faces” for his publications. I am deeply committed to the idea that emotions are universal amoung humans, and indeed even deeper in the animal world. That is not to deny specific cultural modifications, “editing,” one might say. This is not the place to rehearse that discourse. What I will say is that Paul’s work remains a keystone.

On the personal level, I very much enjoyed the times Paul and I spent together. We were almost the same age, with Paul being my “elder brother” by six months. We laughed, traded stories, and found companionship in our mutual researches. I miss him.

– Richard Schechner

While I don’t have any personal memories with Dr. Paul Ekman, I have taken his trainings multiple times and read some of his published works and it has been incredible valuable to my life and my work. He has helped to shape my ethical views on honesty and has encouraged me to study people and our connections on a deeper and more authentic level. He will be sincerely missed.

– Sheldon Geer

I met Dr. Ekman’s work as a young lawyer/actor/educator over 30 years ago. I followed his research and his evolution into sharing his work more broadly around the world. We used his emerging facial coding insights to design interactive improvisational workplace situations to teach critical communication skills.

I always marveled at how quickly people would identify his basic emotions when we acted them out quickly in the scenes. His work was revolutionary in teaching people to pay attention differently. It opened their eyes to behaviors that revealed what might be going on in the hearts and minds around them; inviting an opportunity to check it out.

His research was a launching pad for other academic branches of study that brought credibility to what used to be easily dismissed as “touchy feely” or “wishy washy” anecdotal people stories. We were happy to help thousands of people become aware of his research to better support their success on the job and in life in general. We referred people to his book and encouraged them to follow his ongoing developments. When Lie to Me emerged interest began to really take off.

Personally, the rigor and specificity in his research continues to help me build deeper more connected relationships. I owe a debt of gratitude to his lifelong commitment to spreading emotional awareness skills across the globe.

His legacy lives and will continue for decades to come. My condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and global reading community. We will miss him and honor him by keeping his work alive.

– M.E. Hart, JD

As an archaeologist from Turkey, I was inspired by Paul Ekman’s work and its ability to bridge scientific insight and human expression.

While studying archaeology, I was always intrigued by how ancient societies expressed emotion through sculpture and how the placement of these works carried intentional, often deeply personal messages. The day I encountered Paul Ekman’s research, a pivotal question emerged in my mind: “Could universal human emotions also be read in ancient sculptures?”

That insight became the starting point for both my psycho-iconographic approach and my research on character analysis through micro-expressions in ancient portraiture.

I remember him with respect and gratitude, and I remain thankful for the enduring contributions he made to science. May he rest in peace

– Ozge ALTUN

Dearest Paul, Thank you for your incredible *kindness*, *deep humanity* and groundbreaking work for the *science of compassion*. It was such an honour to interview you for Mind with Heart and host you at each of the Empathy and Compassion conferences. Sending strong wishes to you at this crucial time of transition and all my love.

– Vinciane Rycroft

I met Paul Ekman almost fifty years ago and along all my academic experience he inspired and stimulates my research on emotion that was significantly influenced by his work and theory.

I am most grateful to him and I condole with his family on the loss.

– Pio E. Ricci Bitti
Professor Emeritus of Psychology
University of Bologna, Italy

Hello everyone. I’m an Italian psychologist. Since my master’s degree, I’ve specialized in User Experience, particularly UX
Research and prototype evaluation techniques, including Emotional Assessment. The world of emotions has always fascinated me, so much so that I decided to conduct analyses of facial emotional expressions in many of the projects I’ve worked on, to understand what reactions might arise from exposure to physical and digital products and how they vary over time.

A large portion of the work I’ve been able to do so far would not even have existed without Dr. Ekman’s important discoveries, and for that I can only express my gratitude. The laboratories at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, my alma mater, would not be the same without the tools for investigating facial expressions, and even today, as a professional, I couldn’t imagine my work without them.

As a tribute to Dr. Ekman’s memory, I would like to offer in full the experimental project from my master’s thesis, of which I am very proud, entitled “Emotional Design in UX and Sustainability: Empirical Evaluation of Product Sheets Through the Analysis of Emotional Facial Expressions and Reaction Times.”

I also leave my email address, and remain available for any clarification or further information: A huge thank You once again to Dr. Ekman and his important contribution to the international scientific community and to Psychology!

– Andrea Casoni

A wonderful human being, a pioneer in the psychology research field.

Will miss him

Rest in peace, my condolences to his family.

– Felipe Augusto Torres Rodriguez

He was a pioneer of social emotional intelligence and as a lover of research, I loved his brilliant theories and his courage to demand attention to as aspect of communication hiding in plain sight. So sad, so grateful!

– Jean Bailey

Grazie di tutto Paul da parte di un appassionato lettore italiano.

– Davide S.

I first learned about Dr. Paul Ekman in my first year of studying psychology, and I was immediately fascinated by his work. His research opened a completely new world for me. I even placed photographs and materials related to his areas of interest on the wall above my computer as a daily reminder of the importance of understanding human emotion. Interestingly, I discovered Dr. Ekman through the TV series Lie to me inspired by his work, which sparked my curiosity and led me to explore his scientific contributions in depth. By the time I reached my final year of studies, I decided to complete several of his courses on his website.

Those trainings shaped not only my academic path but also my professional interests. Today, I continue to educate myself in this field, and it remains one of my strongest passions within psychology.

I greatly admire Dr. Ekman, as a person, as a scientist and as a pioneer who fundamentally changed the way we understand emotion, nonverbal behavior, and human communication. His work has had a profound influence on me personally, and his contributions to psychology are immeasurable. The legacy he leaves behind will continue to inspire students, researchers, and practitioners around the world for generations.

– Selma Nuhanović from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Grazie al dott. Ekman mi sono appassionata allo studio dell’espressione delle emozioni che ci rendono umani e vengono arricchite e colorate dal vissuto di ognuno di noi. Grazie di cuore per una vita dedicata allo studio e per un sorriso che arrivava dritto al cuore.

– Cecilia Falcetti

What an amazing man he was. Not only did his work help many people, his warmth and enthusiasm will be remembered forever.

Rest in peace.

– Kirsty Charlton

Dear all,
Death is just a portal, an entrance to another dimention where a body is not necessary.

Paul Ekman has completed his mission: to leave an extraordinary testimony to how humanity is capable of sharing emotions and experiences and the ways in which these are communicated.

A gigantic accomplishment that only a great man could have achieved.

May God bless him in his new journey. May God bless his family.

– Giovanna

Dear Sir/Madam,
I hope you are well.
I am a reader and an admirer of Dr Paul Ekman’s groundbreaking scientific legacy.

I first discovered his fascinating work about microexpressions back to 2010 when I was a Bachelor Degree Journalism student in Moscow, Russia. Since then, I read several of his books in Russian and English and the final of them, Telling Lies I am still reading. I came across his important and fascinating works several times throughout my academia studies, final one was addressing his basic emotions study during my University of Cambridge studies back to 2023. His discovery about basic emotions, his field research in New Guinea and his legacy about reading people’s hidden emotions is an example of how a genius and prepared mind can discover such an important field of psychology by chance with just examining psychiatric patients. I was very saddened with the news of Dr Ekman’s passing just now, however I know that his legacy will live on in all of us who admire and value his work.

My condolences to all his family. May his legacy live on.

Best regards,
Oxana Andrienko
MA in Journalism, University of the Arts London
Cognitive Psychology Diploma, University of Cambridge
BA in Journalism, Moscow State University of Lomonosov

Just want to say I appreciate his work and find it invaluable in life and in work relations. He has inspired me to study NLP and become comfortable with better understanding intimacies and acceptance for the beauty we all express by the moment.

Consequently, my life is fuller and richer with values that will live on forever and my connections are more meaningful with the truth that we are all so much more alike than different. I know my soul has more peace and contentment with life so thank you so incredibly much. Be well.

– Mike Bailey

A great man, an iconic and international figure in nonverbal communication. My deepest respect for your work on micro-expressions Thank you for our brief exchanges on nonverbal communication. They awakened and greatly influenced my passion for scientific research when I began in 2013 for my bachelor’s degree and continued through to my doctorate in 2022, focusing on odors, communication, and sociocultural anthropology in Madagascar. Thank you for your theory, your approach to emotions (FACS) and emotional intelligence, the series Lie To Me, and the Inside Out I will continue to pay tribute to your work through teaching at university and my passion for research

~ Because one of the wonders of science is to immortalize the great theorists who have changed the world.~ Dr. Henitsoa
Ramilison, Madagascar
#RIP #mentor #Science #Emotions #paulekman

– Haingotiana Henitsoa RAMILISON

It is a little-known fact that Paul Ekman was at the St. Lucia campus of the University of Queensland, Australia, where he hosted in the late 1960’s by Psychology Professor Glen McBride. This served as his base when he conducted his famous studies in Papua New Guinea.

Cheers
Neal Ashkanasy
Emeritus Professor
The University of Queensland, Australia

Today, I just read the sad news about Dr. Paul Ekman.
His story was the very first thing that inspired me to study psychology. Watching his dedication portrayed in the series “Lie to Me” when I was 10 years old left me in awe — it showed me that human emotion is both an individual’s greatest strength and their most tragic vulnerability. I decided to learn about human emotions, including understanding my own, through the knowledge and insights of Dr. Paul Ekman.

This news has made me deeply saddened. My heartfelt condolences go to his family and to everyone who has been touched by the legacy of such an extraordinary figure.

Rest in peace, Doctor. You will always be remembered.
From a devoted fan of yours,
Sahdah Artika

I first met Paul through my PhD advisor at Penn, Paul Rozin. I was just a grad student but Paul was so kind to me, so interested in my ideas about emotion. I became an emotion researcher for the first phase of my career, collaborating with Paul’s former mentee Dacher Keltner. We found clear evidence that the basic emotions were well recognized from descriptions of situations, moreso than single words, in rural India and Chicago.

I always admired Paul’s intellectual boldness and interpersonal kindness.

– Jonathan Haidt

I’m not in any way a student of the social sciences but I am very much interested in human behaviour and facial expressions. 1 particular show that stuck to me until now was “Lie to me”. After finding out that that show was based on scientific studies from Dr Paul Ekman, I decided to go on reading up on him and his work.

His books and FACS tool has been beneficial to me in my workplace. Thank you Dr Paul Ekman. You were a heavy influence in my interest in human behaviour.

– Faiezin Osman

What an incredible gift your work has been. You will long be remembered and celebrated

– Tracey Pritchard

I never met Dr. Paul Ekman, but he taught me so much about facial expression. The majority of facial animation in film, and video games, is built off of his research. Thank you for your major contributions and rest in peace. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

– David Coleman

He’s been such an inspiration to me in my work over 25 years. In working with facial tensions and pain, everything just comes back to this. Micro expressions… That actually can become a chronic facial expression in line and facial tensions. Forever grateful for his knowledge that ai can carry forever in my practice and life. He will be dearly missed.

– Julie Lynge

Dear Dr. Eve Ekman,
Dear Paul Ekman Group,
I am sure you are receiving thousands of messages in these days of mourning, and I hope this one reaches you gently. I want to express my deepest sympathy for your loss and to share with you just how profoundly your father’s work has shaped my entire life.

I remember vividly being 13 or 14 years old, preparing a school presentation about body language and nonverbal communication.

That was when I first encountered your father’s book “Emotions Revealed“. I was a well-integrated teenager, but I often felt as though something essential was “missing”. While my peers were passionate about sports, playing instruments and hobbies, nothing ever held my interest for long and life felt somehow meaningless.

All of that changed the moment I opened Dr. Ekman’s book. I still remember the “spark” and the intense rush, of reading about science the first time. The way Dr. Ekman described his passion for science and the excitement of his discoveries captivated me. His curiosity was contagious. From that day on, I devoured everything I could find on nonverbal communication, psychology and medicine.

For the first time, I had found something that truly captivated me. I even recall, with some embarrassment and fondness, the photos of you Dr. Eve showing different emotions that I clumsily placed into my power point presentation back then to bring my point across. If not for Dr. Paul Ekman, I might never have discovered my love for science and research. I begged my parents for a subscription to “Psychology Today“, I got a bachelor’s degree in education and communication sciences, completed a master’s degree in public health, and am now working toward my PhD in molecular biology. The seed your father planted has shaped the entire trajectory of my life. Science caught me and never let me go.

I want to say “thank you“ to your father and also to you. You do not know me, but both of you have profoundly influenced my life for the better, giving me a passion that continues to guide me and that truly fills my life with meaning.

I wish you strength, peace, and comfort during this difficult time.

With deep gratitude and heartfelt sympathy,
Sabrina Liedtke

He was the first psychologist that change my Life. Read his book allowed me to change the way i see the world with different eyes.

I’ll never be able to thank you for the enormous awareness acquired. The Spark you left light fires that Will always warm us. Proud to have bene part of this huge bonfire.
Tank you. Lorenzo

– Lorenzo Di Florio

Dr. Ekman has been, and will always remain, a cornerstone in the research on nonverbal communication. His loss would leave us absolutely orphaned were it not for the fact that his legacy remains with us. Those of us who follow in his footsteps are profoundly grateful for his contributions to the advancement of research in this fascinating science of nonverbal communication. May he rest in peace.

– Dr. Sonia El Hakim
President of the Spanish Nonverbal Communication Association
(www.asenove.es)
Director of the Nonverbal Communication Master of the European University Miguel de Cervantes (www.masternoverbal.es)

Your beautiful work has put me much more in touch with my true nature and helped me to venture more bravely and with more compassion into this bug shiny world

Thank you from all my heart and love and condolences to your beautiful family

– Norma Foster

I first came to know of Dr Ekman from “Lie to Me” and my research into him when I was becoming a mentalist. I wanted to have /use the science to back me up when I did mind reading tricks. I have his books and have gone on to use them in my work in information security, to help people use the skills of micro-expressions and signs of deceit within social engineering. I owe a great deal to Dr Ekman’s work, as it’s helped me understand people more and increased my people skills, personally and in my work life.

My thoughts are with his family and colleagues. Thank you Dr Ekman for your contribution to this field.

– Simon Backwell

I discovered Dr.Ekman’s work when I was just starting to work in Human Resources. I was fascinated right away. I have always been passionate about understanding people and his books had a huge impact in my life and career. I then decided to do the training in UK and I became even more fascinated. Still today, I continue to practice his tools and use it every time I can. His work is to me a masterpiece. He was to me a genius, as his contribution to psychology changed the world and enabled so many people to deepen their reading of people.

– Agnes Pizanti

You were pure inspiration, great teacher, deep in your interpretation of sensibility, modest in your geniusness.
Thank you for your existence in almost 15 years of my learnings and researches.

See you amoung the stars someday..
– Natasa Sekulic,
Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina

I learn about micro expressions from the tv series “Lie To Me” in Germany. The general validity of facial impressions of emotions led to questions in my yoga practices about body, emotions, mind and soul.

What happens when souls are universal, minds are universal, emotions are universal.
Some minor differences only on the body level. Height, weight, hair or skin color.
Universality of human beings.

This started with the perseverance of Dr. Paul Ekman.
May your soul be blessed, Paul !

– Carsten Prox

His research output has been an extraordinary contribution to the science of emotions, from his photographs of emotional facial expressions and his proposal of the FACS taxonomy in the 1970s to his METT tool in the 2000s. His honest and clear style of writting it was a plus and an inspiration too.

A great reference. A great lost.

– Juan-Carlos Pérez-Gonzalez

Dr. Ekman has touched lives across our planet in ways that individuals rarely do. I have been privileged to experience his body of work first hand through his training organization and it has been transformational to teach and train others in his significant contributions to EI as well as his integrity/ truth and lie detection work. I’m saddened by Eve’s loss and know she can be proud that our world is a better place because of her father’s investment in his science.

I also feel both deep gratitude and love for the Ekman International leaders who gave me the gift of training skills that I now offer as a gift to others. What an amazing life Paul has lived!

– Dan Seidman

Dr. Ekman has touched lives across our planet in ways that individuals rarely do. I have been privileged to experience his body of work first hand through his training organization and it has been transformational to teach and train others in his significant contributions to EI as well as his integrity/ truth and lie detection work. I’m saddened by Eve’s loss and know she can be proud that our world is a better place because of her father’s investment in his science.

I also feel both deep gratitude and love for the Ekman International leaders who gave me the gift of training skills that I now offer as a gift to others. What an amazing life Paul has lived!

– Dan Seidman

Dear Ekman Family,
Your father’s work was a silent partner throughout my UN years.

In collaboration projects spanning every continent and culture, his insights helped me see what words couldn’t say. Ministers, field staff, technical experts – regardless of language or background, their faces told the truth. Dr. Ekman taught me to read it.

Perhaps the memorial could include voices like mine – people who used his science not in labs but in the complex reality of international cooperation, where understanding each other changes everything.

With gratitude and sympathy,
Kafkas Caprazli

As a former student of Patricia Staniek I herewith would like to express my sincere condolences.

We took a lot from his work and studies. A great personality passed away. Tilman

– Tilman Jaeger

Thank you Doctor, You changed My Life and My Way to look at life

– Stéphane

Önce dizisi ile tanışıp tüm kitaplarını alıp kendimle birlikte öğrencilerime de yalan beden dili konusunda ilham veren bir bilim insanıydı. Çalışmaları hepimizin ilham kaynağı oldu. Bizler onun ile insanı okumaya ve anlamaya başka açılardan yaklaşım ve iletişim kurmayı öğrendik. Çok üzüldük bize ilhan veren böyle güzel bir insanın acı kaybına. Ailesine bu üzüntüye dayanma gücü versin melekler içinde uysun.

– Ferda Çakmaklıoğlu

Z głębokim szacunkiem i wdzięcznością pragnę oddać hołd Profesorowi Paulowi Ekmanowi — wybitnemu uczonemu, który całe swoje życie poświęcił badaniu emocji i mikroekspresji, otwierając ludzkości oczy na to, co kryje się pod powierzchnią mimiki.

Przez ostatnie dziewięć lat mojej pracy zawodowej korzystam właśnie z tej wiedzy — z nauk, które Pan Ekman zostawił światu — i jestem głęboko wdzięczna za jej transformującą moc. Jego badania nie tylko wzbogaciły moje umiejętności, ale również pozwoliły mi widzieć ludzi i ich emocje z większą klarownością, empatią i prawdą.

W ramach tej niezmiernej wdzięczności ożywiłam jego zdjęcie – symboliczny gest, który ma dla mnie ogromne znaczenie. Niech to odświeżone wspomnienie będzie małym, ale żywym hołdem dla człowieka, który wniosł do nauki i do mojego życia tak wiele.

Spoczywaj w pokoju, Panie Profesorze Ekman — Pana dziedzictwo będzie żyło dalej w sercach i umysłach tych, których iinspirował.

Z wyrazami wdzięczności
– Karina Polska-Szczecin

I finished my schooling in 1987 with my Abitur (university entrance qualification) and have been working in sales ever since, for many years now in the capital goods sector. Now, after 38 years, I still practice my profession with heart and soul. “Lie to Me” introduced me to the topic of microexpressions, and this subject has captivated me ever since; indeed, it fascinated me. I read all of Dr. Ekman’s books and subsequently learned to assess so many situations and people throughout my career, drawing the right conclusions, so that my “mental drawer” has become increasingly full and detailed with experiences over the years. I am grateful for the impetus from “Dr. Lightman” and for the guidance of Dr. P. throughout all these years.

Dr. P.: I’m sending you a very personal AU 6,12 and 42 in strength E. U did a fantastic job. May the Lord keep His protecting hands over you. U made my life better.

– Hanspeter from Austria

Dr Ekman and his work became a beacon of light for me in my life. His work and vision gave me guidance and direction. He inspired me and countless others to protect and serve our great nation by implementing behavior observation skills. He truly made a difference and his legacy will never fade.
Thank you

– Oscar Mejia

We met several times, two in Bologna at the Department of Psychology where I worked with my mentor Prof. Pio Enrico Ricci Bitti.

Paul Ekman was really a legend for all of us. We will miss him very much.

– Roberto Caterina

Very sad news to read. I talk about him and his work and research in my training sessions in the corporate sector. A big loss but his legacy will continue.

– Ioana Cretu

I thank Dr. Ekman with my whole heart for his wonderful work. He inspired me more than 25 years ago to pursue my own research in the field of nonverbal communication. We even exchange mails when he was still working at the University, I think it was in San Francisco. I was reserching the work of David Efron (Gestures and Environment, 1941), a pioneer on the field and of Argentine nationality like me. Ekman considered Efron a teacher and a friend. I never met Dr. Ekman, but I always felt his guidance from his academic papers and his books. Just yersterday I mentioned his name many times and strongly recommended him to my students. His legacy will remain a lighthouse for the truth seekers forever. I love you deeply dear Paul.

– Dr. Sergio Rulicki

I didn’t personally know Dr. Ekman, but he made a huge impression on me after watching ‘Lie to Me’. I remember taking all his test on his internet page as well as buying his book. His work and life was amazing. Our hearts is saddened today. My condolences to his family, friends and the world who cherished and loved him.

– Angela Harris

Thank you Paul, for your work and inspiration.

I’m sure, you will be greeted at heaven’s door with a genuine smile …

– Gerold Dr. Dubbermann

Wishing his family and friends all the strength in this difficult time, and may the beautiful moments you shared together never be forgotten.

He inspired me to learn more about us as human beings, and I am deeply grateful to him for setting me on that journey. I will never forget his energy and his knowledge, which I still use, and will continue to use, in my lessons on body language.

In that way, through my lessons, I will keep Dr. Ekman’s legacy alive.
Warm regards, Jeroen (The Netherlands)

– Jeroen de Graaf

Thank you Mr. Ekman! Your work was essential for my Master Thesis and my Bachelor. Both involved Digital Humans and the FACS system is a important part of that.

Sad to hear this news of Dr Ekman’s passing. I came across his incredible work around 7 years ago and learned so much from his knowledge around the science of human emotion and communication. I continue to use what I have learned on a daily basis and also share my learnings with others to impact positive change to help others gain a greater understanding of what it is to be human. I am grateful to have come across his research and the positive impact it has had on my life. My condolences to the family,
RIP Dr Ekman.

– Sharon Box

I became the FACS coder when I was trying to deal with burnout, anxiety, and depression after graduating from university.

I majored in psychology and I was interested in FACS, so I decided to be the coder. You know, I was depressed, but I wanted to do something! People around me got jobs or went to graduate school, and I did nothing. I wanted to achieve something. Then I studied hard while resting to get better, and I became a coder.

It took me a long time to move forward since then, but that time definitely helped me to get through my dark period. It gave me a lot of energy and joy to achieve something. I can’t thank him enough. He saved my life. It’s not an exaggeration.

Thank you so much, Dr. Ekman. As Doctor Who said, time is like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff. Your studies and influence will last long and be studied as if they were found yesterday.

– Takuro Maegawa

The emotions exist, ours eyes and our soul, we are a open book. Thank you for your job doc, you will be in ours hearts forever!

– Marika De Maria

My friend and colleague Mal Anderson and I were fortunate enough to enlist in and undertake the first ever comprehensive facilitator / instructor training in the Paul Ekman Science based training in Emotional Skills, and Truthfulness and Credibility Skills, in Manchester, in January 2011. This was under the excellent tutelage of Cliff Lansley and John Pearce. Mal and I subsequently spearheaded the delivery of Paul Ekman International courses in the Asia Pacific, centred in Australia.
This was a genuinely changing professional and personal experience.

“You don’t turn off those skills.” Dr Ekman’s psychological thought leadership, his writings, and his strong philosophy about improving lives, underpinned our work, and to this day my own clinical work is partly infused with his influence, and our experience. u Hugely influential, humble, wise, and never regretted. Thank you, Dr Ekman, for all you did.

– Alan Hudson

I had the honor of meeting Dr.Ekman at a young age of 8-9 years old. He was working with my dad on a book and tasked me with practicing every facial expression. I could emulate every single one except for contempt. He told me to be proud I couldn’t express or feel contempt as it was the only learned facial expression we have that we aren’t born with. I am grateful for the time I had to learn from him and to know him.

– Amaya Hadnagy

I’m writing a book about emotional eating and food addiction, and I have cited Dr. Ekman’s works dozens of times. He is truly a giant in the field of the psychology of emotion.

– Michael Braun

paul ekman’s work, both micro expressions coding and contemplative science and its ethical value have shaped my work and life and continue to influence all areas of my life and, unbeknownst to most, those of my friends and patients. even strangers who cross my path. what a long and generous life. thank you, dr. ekman.

– julia i. pema dolma gutman, lcsw

Tuve la oportunidad de conocer el trabajo del Dr. Ekman cuando estaba preparándome para uno de los trabajos más desafiantes de mi carrera en la industria farmacéutica: la capacitación.

Leer su trabajo fue revelador para mí y me adentró en el mundo maravilloso de la comunicación no verbal. Agradezco profundamente el impacto positivo de sus hallazgos en mi vida.

Gracias Dr. Ekman.
México, 2025
– Jazheel Merari

The gratitude I feel towards Dr Ekman cannot be understated. In the course of a person’s life, there are a handful of people who change not only the path you take, but how you walk that road. That is who Paul Ekman was for me. I’m sure it’s true of more people than he could have imagined.

– R Jasmin

I’m sad to hear of Dr Ekman’s passing and offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends who are close to Dr Ekman.

My story is twofold with on the one hand seeing the TV series that was adapted from his theories (Lie to Me) and on the one hand bringing Dr Ekman’s teachings and insights into a Private Equity company to help us assess if the company executives of the companies we acquired, were honest in their responses to us.

Thank you for all your insights and support

– Dirk Rossey

Rest in power, Dr. Paul Ekman. You changed and inspired so many lives!

A great scholar, an incomparable mind, a wonderful human being. Thank you for your loving dedication, for your always kind words. Learning from you was an unparalleled privilege! My thoughts are with your family, especially with Dr. Eve Ekman, the guardian of your legacy.

Thank you, Dr. Paul Ekman, you will be forever remembered and loved!

– Adriana Edwards

I am heartbroken for his family and work team. He changed my life in ways he never knew. At 42 I had just left a 20 years abusiverelationship and went back to college to finish my degree. I was introduced to his work during my studies for a bachelor’s in Communication. As any abused person will tell you, the faster you can read someones body language the safer you are. When I graduated I knew I needed more answers so I went on to pursue my masters in Communication with Dr. Eckman as my inspiration. I cited his research in every paper possible. I even consider moving to California to pursue my doctorate with or at least close to him and his lab. My life instead led me in the direction of my MBA. Once I knew I could handle a masters program, thank to his inspiration, I knew I could handle anything. He will always be proudly part of my life story and I will forever be grateful for his influence.

– Kim Snow

To Paul Ekman’s family,
Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss.

Paul’s work unknowingly changed the course of my life many years ago, and I would never have begun my own research without the path he opened.

I wanted to honour his extraordinary legacy with the message posted below on LinkedIn, with the greatest respect and admiration
=====
The man who changed how the world understands human emotions, and unknowingly changed my life, is gone.
Named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME Magazine, and the fiftieth most impactful psychologist of the 21st century, Paul Ekman discovered facial 𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨-𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 and inspired the TV series 𝘓𝘪𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘔𝘦.
He theorized that there are 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 (happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, disgust and contempt) which are innate and universal, expressed similarly across cultures.

In 1967-1968, he conducted pioneering studies in 𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐮𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐚 among tribes then isolated from the outside world. He asked participants which facial expression they would make when “𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭”, “𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘦”, or “𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵”. Their answers matched the facial expressions observed everywhere else on the planet.

Ekman then spent four years developing the 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 (𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐒), a complete taxonomy of all human facial movements described with 𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘴 (𝘈𝘜). Learning FACS is demanding, as I learned first-hand: 100 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, followed by a 20-hour certification test. FACS was even used by Pixar Animation Studios to make their 3D characters look human and emotional. His work was so influential that it unknowingly shaped my path.

When I was still an engineering student at École Centrale Paris CentraleSupélec, attending a workshop on negotiation, the trainer referenced Ekman’s research and explained how science-based deception detection could transform negotiation
outcomes.

I had never imagined before that human behaviors could be analyzed methodically and scientifically.

That moment changed my trajectory. My own work on deception has since taken a different path than Ekman’s nonverbal deception-detection approach.

But I would never have started a psychology thesis, founded OTHELLO, nor ultimately trained hundreds of professionals, from intelligence services to antifraud investigators, 𝐢𝐟 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐦. In 2017, I had the privilege of meeting the man I admired at the 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 at Stanford University (and comparing which improbable facial expressions each of us could produce — my special: 𝘈𝘜39!)

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥 𝐄𝐤𝐦𝐚𝐧, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.

– Camille Srour

`

Due to Dr. Ekman and his study on Facial Action Coding System (FACS) and Micro Expression Training Tools, I was able to learn some very important facts and information having to do with Behavior Detection and introduce me to the most important and beneficial work that I did for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). It was the job that I had always yearned for and well suited to me personally.

Even though Behavior Detection Officer is not a job that exists today with the TSA, I saved all that information for myself and found it to be so useful in my own life. I regret I could not continue with being a BDO with TSA because of my medical problems. The program was discontinued shortly after my retirement, which I think is a huge mistake because of the value it has.

– Renee Antillon Kinner

I am deeply saddened by today’s news.

Growing up in a small town, there wasn’t much to do outside or much to see in TV when I came back from school, however, the Lie to Me series was my introduction to Dr. Ekman’s work, it was a fascinating thing to witness during those years where I was still discovering myself and what I wanted to do when I grew up (I graduated as a teacher but I do all sorts of things nowadays). Each episode enamored me with the study of nonverbal communication, it allowed me to grow in empathy and it made me a much more observant person. I also managed to discern more about my own psyche which in turned helped me develop my interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. I became a more thoughtful man because it gave me the chance to put myself in other people’s shoes and it gave me access to a better mindset that I still continue to show in my life.

I will never forget what Dr. Ekman’s work did for me in my personal and professional life. He shaped me in many ways and I’m proud to say that his writings and talks have positively influenced my path, the way that I nurture my friendships and how I act proactively in my relationships. I shall continue honoring his memory for as long as I live.

– Sebastián Aírton

Like many, my first encounter with Paul’s work was through Lie to Me on television. I like it went on to read several of his books and many of his articles. While I was never successful in learning to use his techniques (insufficient practice), nevertheless they helped me to patiently try and read people’s faces when encountering difficult or emotional circumstances. His work was very clearly unique and of the very highest quality. My condolences to his family and friends. Thank you Paul for your contribution to psychology and wider social life.

– Clive Smallman

It was a fascinating experience to study Dr Ekman’s work and a privilege to bring it to Australia to provide training for a wide range of professionals. It change their perceptions and led to many changes in how they were able to do their work. He was an amazing man to discover and share so many insights into how humans interact.

– Malcolm Anderson

Despite never having the opportunity to meet Dr Ekman, his book “Telling Lies”, YouTube interviews, and seminars ignited a fire within me. His insights and passion have opened my eyes and have given me a passion for behavioural sciences. I’m but one person out of many who have been inspired by a man who dedicated his life to psychology and leaves a living legacy that will continue to grow on. I am deeply grateful to you, Dr. Ekman.

– Jonathan Aird

Dr. Paul Ekman continues to make my life better from first learning about his work years ago from watching Lie To Me. Since then I vow to make the world a better place using Dr. Ekman’s work. Thank you Dr. Ekman for your research and dedication. I hope that your family can continue the legacy.

Kind regards,
– John Branco

When I first came to UC Davis in 1992, Paul welcomed me and my husband, Phillip Shaver, with open arms. Paul and his long-time collaborator, Maureen, came to UC Davis to discuss research. We planned a study that was then published. Phil and I had dinner at his house above UCSF, with his lovely wife, who was then a Dean at UC Berkeley. It was a thrill for me to meet him and publish with him. I am so sorry to learn of his passing.

– Gail Goodman

In March 2012 I had successfully got Dr. Ekman to say yes to coming on my podcast. It was a surreal moment for me. It was only my 32nd episode and I could barely believe I was about to chat with Dr. Paul Ekman. I had read his books and studied his science, but to get to meet him? When it was over he said we can stay in touch. A few months passed and I asked him if I could run a book idea by him. It was the basis for “Unmasking the Social Engineer” but he said these conversations are best in person. He invited me to his home in San Francisco.

I can still remember the first time i entered his apartment, all the masks from around the world, a special gift from the Dali Lama, some of the most interesting things I have ever seen, and each had a story. We sat together looking out to the bay and I painted my picture for this book, and I ended with, “I am not a scientist, I don’t have a PhD, but I would be honored if you would be my co-author. Your name can go first, you can take all the money, and I will do all the work.” There was a lump in my throat. He said, “Give me some time to do some research and think about it.”

A few months had passed and he came back to me and said, “Chris, I will co-author this book with you and I want your name to be first, and I will refuse any monetary offer. What I will demand is that this book is 100% backed by science.”

I truly could not believe it, I asked him, “Why would do that? Why would you be so generous to some one you barely know.”

His reply stuck with me all these years, “Chris, it costs me nothing to be kind and pays me back in large dividends.”
I sat there in disbelief. In 2014 that book came out, having the chance to work with Paul changed my life. Many times over the years I would fly to SF to visit with him. My daughter and he had a special bond, a story for another time, so she always came with me.

From the first time he met her while working on the book, till the last time she saw him he was like a grandfather to her.
For me, he was like the dad I wish I had. He was kind, firm, determined, strong, fair and remarkable as a man. I know he had his flaw, like we all do, but my friend and mentor Paul Ekman, helped shape me into who I am today.

I will forever grateful to him and the gift he has given me, the time he has spent on me, and the mentorship that has molded me.

I have included some of favorite times with Paul as a memorial.

Till the future my friend, I love you.

– Christopher Hadnagy

Several years ago Dr. Ekman spoke at our Wisconsin Private Investigator (PAWLI)conference in Green Bay, WI. He introduced and taught a group of licensed private investigators the skills to observe Micro Expressions. As investigators, this training has been invaluable as we constantly seek to uncover the truth while interviewing our clients, witnesses and victims of crime.

His unique training served and still serves to aid those of us seeking the truth often revealed in Micro Expressions.

– Gwendolyn Pangburn

Emotions Revealed changed my life and I recommend this book to everyone I meet who is struggling with learning about emotions. The show Lie to me* and the movie Inside Out provided endless fun and entertainment. Thank you Dr. Ekman for the knowledge and the training to develop my emotional intelligence. My thoughts, my heart and my deepest condolences go out to your daughter Dr. Ekman, your family, peers and staff at the Ekman group.

– Manuel Sandoval

We used the Ekman faces to show how people with dementia often do not follow patterns like controls do. Something I identified when meeting people with dementia, they seemed lost…

– Eef Hogervorst

The first time I heard about microexpressions I fell in love with the topic. Then, I began studying Paul Ekman’s research and training. I took some training on the platform and marked the beginning of my professional life. He’s one of my role models.

– Joel Acevedo

I am deeply saddened to hear of Dr Ekman’s death. I first discovered Ekman’s work in undergrad university where I was studying to become a psychologist. I’ve read all his books and credit ‘Emotions Revealed’ to my understanding of the unwritten social world around me, a skill that benefitted my autistic brain in a neurotypical world long before I knew I was autistic.

Since achieving my full registration as a psychologist I have worked with adults of all ages and now kids and their families in grades K-12. I regularly use the knowledge from Ekman’s work to help ND clients navigate the world (often enthusiastically citing and referring to Inside Out) and use the the Atlas of Emotions to help kids/families/adults get to know their inner world.

I have and always will be an avid observer of human behaviour, in no small part due to Ekman’s influence on me personally & professionally.

I extend my deepest condolences to Ekman’s family, friends, & colleagues.
His legacy lives on in them, in psychology, and everyone he touched however remotely.
Rebecca Marheine
(Australia)

Many many years ago I stumbled upon Ekman’s books and they changed how I view and think about emotions. That has made me more aware of my own emotions and cultivated my abilities to “control” my emotional space and understanding other people much better. I’m forever grateful for his contribution. Thank you.

– Timo Pöntinen

I’m so sad to hear this news. I have lost 3 family members this year in the space of 6 months and seeing this was heartbreaking. I know what his family are going through right now.

To lose such a special and clever man is devastating. My prayers go to his family and friends.

I wish you all peace and love. xxx

– Jane Bush

I first discovered Dr. Paul Ekman through the series Lie to Me. It fascinated me. It unlocked a kind of curiosity in me that felt almost overwhelming. After that, I immediately read his book Je sais que vous mentez in French. I was 14 years old at the time.

For two years, I trained myself using every app and resource I could access at that age. I learned to recognize baseline behaviors, micro-expressions, and how to interpret them. I reached a point where I could quickly sense when someone was hiding something. And then I realized that almost everyone hides something. I started asking myself endless questions: Why lie when we could tell the truth? What does it mean that everyone conceals parts of themselves? I think I was a little too young to truly understand or process that idea. Eventually, I stopped learning because I didn’t want to see the world that way anymore.

His work was my first love in human psychology and also my first heartbreak. Since then, I’ve never gotten back into it with the same intensity as before, but I’ve continued to follow Dr. Ekman from afar on social media for nearly ten years. His influence never really left me. His research shaped the way I understand people, truth, and the complexity of human nature, and I remain deeply grateful for the impact he had on my life.

– Agva Emeline

Dr. Ekman has been an inspiration to me as a criminologist, during my studies I could never find something as remotely similar as to what he has brought as a specialist in all he did. I hoped one day I could meet him and unfortunately I will never get the opportunity to do so but I’m grateful for all the knowledge he left behind and hope everyone continues to remember him with love and enthusiasm as I will

– Paulina H. Lopez (Mexican Criminologist)

Dr. Paul Ekman’s passing is a profound moment for all who were influenced by his work. His research into human emotion and facial expression reshaped our understanding of the universality of certain expressions across cultures and revealed the physiological signatures of emotion. These discoveries inspired applications across psychology, law enforcement, education, and many other fields, changing the way we approach truth, empathy, and human connection.
As an early mentor, Dr. Ekman guided me in seeing that the study of emotion is inseparable from compassion. He taught that careful observation could foster empathy, and that understanding others requires both scientific rigor and respect for human dignity. His approach challenged us to look more closely, listen more deeply, and recognize the humanity in those around us.

It was a true honor to learn from him. His brilliance lay not only in discovery but in his generosity of spirit—sharing knowledge that helped us see more clearly and connect more deeply. His legacy endures in the disciplines he transformed and in the people he inspired to approach emotion as a bridge to connection.

May his memory continue to guide us toward greater honesty, empathy, and understanding.

– Rebecca Levene Lauer

How many lives are saved through his contribution to the scientific community?
How many people are enjoying his research?
I think we are, from all corners of the world, many who mourn him right now.

Thank you Dr. Eckman for changing my life perspective!
Godspeed!

– Brancu Romeo

At the age of 15 I reached out to Paul who immediately responded “a teenager that wants to know this stuff!? What do you want to know young man?”. And I never looked back.

I and many others owe Mr E so so much!

Rest in Peace Professor

– Dann Smith

Now we Miss a great man and a great menthor

– Renato Albanese

Dr. Paul Ekman dedicated his life to mapping every visible facial movement, and now, with his passing, the emotion that remains is sadness.

Thank you, Dr. Ekman.

– Alexandre Freitas

I write this many miles away, in New Zealand. I came across Paul’s work about 20 years ago and have cherished the knowledge.

I purchased the micro expression training tool on CD and was surprised to learn I had no recognition of disgust in others!

I loved the “Lie to Me” series based on his work. I have shared the Atlas of Emotions tool when teaching about emotions in my negotiation and difficult conversations classes.

Thank you for this opportunity to acknowledge the enormous impact Paul has had. I know his legacy will be calmer more peaceful interactions as people learn how to understand and manage emotions more readily.

– Madeleine Taylor

Gracias infinitas por el aporte que realizó con tanto profesionalismo, por hacernos soñar con tener una cuenta consciencia diferente para ver el mundo, por demostrar que siempre podemos aprender más de lo no verbal, gracias por ayudarme a enamorarme más de mi profesión….. Q.E.P.D

– Mauricio Siza

Thank you, Dr. Ekman, for a lifetime devoted to understanding people and emotions. Your work helped humanity see ourselves and each other with greater honesty, clarity, and curiosity. Rest well.

– Brandon Williams

Another genius has left our world and moved from the “station earth” to the eternity of the universe. He left us greatest knowledge, unconditional love and an ocean of emotions. Infinite gratitude for his contribution and creativity. Paul, you always will be in the hearts and minds of people. Thank you.

– Luiza.matureli Georgia,tbilisi

What a legend.. one who inspired me to look closer and want to find out more… beyond grateful to you Paul, thank you for your contributions to the field of human exploration.

– Dr Sandrina Haeck

I began to improve myself in life thanks to the advice and teachings of Dr. Ekman. The world will miss the discoveries he could still make!

– Victor Freire Tavares

The man who inspired my research interest in nonverbal aspects of political communication. The scientist who showed the path to investigate emotional communication. Paul Ekman changed the science, and his legacy will live in the work of thousands who inspired scientists. Thank you for your visionary approach and the courage to discuss the universality of human emotion.

– Patryk Wawrzyński

Sono molto rattristata dalla notizia. Ho studiato sui libri del Dr. Ekman, che leggo ancora perché fonti inesauribili di conoscenza.

Ho imparato moltissimo e spero che gli studi possano essere portati avanti dal suo team.

Condoglianze alla famiglia.
Monica Bozzo, psicologa e psicoterapeuta. Milano.

My interest in micro expressions was peaked by the tv show “Lie to Me”. I subsequently enjoyed the very nature of Paul Ekman’s study and how he developed a better understanding of who we really are. RIP Paul Ekman

– Markham Moore

Dr Ekman turned me on to some of the best years of my life. His research was helpful for my writings. It all started with the series Lie to Me. I then bought his book and discovered the website and created a folder for all of the emails, which will include the announcement. I always read his emails and watched bits of his interviews. He made an unforgettable impression.

– Kathryn

Dr. Ekman work opened so many doors that people didn’t even know they were closed. A whole field of research was possible because of his dedication.

– walter jr

I am so saddened to hear this.

Dr. Ekman’s work had a profound impact on my life. I followed his teachings closely, and they helped me immensely during the years I lived in countries where English was not the main language. I often found myself in board meetings where I couldn’t fully understand what was being said.

Through his training, I learned to finely tune my observation of body language and micro-expressions, which allowed me to truly understand what was happening around me. His work gave me confidence, clarity, and a sense of connection in situations where I might otherwise have been lost.

He was an incredible man, and he will be sorely missed. His legacy lives on in all of us who learned from him and continue to carry his work forward in our own lives.

– Anna

The field of psychotherapy has just lost a giant foundational genius. Any encounter, no matter how personal or distant, I encountered a man relentlessly kind,, empathic, accessible, brilliant and insatiably curious. I am so saddened by his passing.

– Gail Gabriel

J’écris en français n’étant pas sûr de mon anglais.

J’ai découvert tardivement les travaux du Professeur Ekman grâce à un de ses élèves monsieur Marwan Merry.
Je vous présente mes sincères condoléances.

Grâce à son travail et sa générosité, j’ai progressé dans mon travail et dans ma vie personnelle.

Je vous souhaite du courage
Charles

– Charles condoléances

I became acquainted with Dr. Ekman’s work in 2007 and since then I have become passionate about his research. I sought to specialize in the Facial Action Coding System and Microexpressions, and this opened up a new world of opportunities and knowledge so fascinating that I don’t have enough words to thank dear Professor Ekman for his legacy. He will always live on in all those who share his work and nurture true admiration for his legacy. My heartfelt condolences from Brazil.

I am a big admirer of his work and dedication to his family. He seemed to have lived a very full life. What a great legacy to leave behind.

– Anderson Tamborim

I am what Dr. Ekman would probably call a naturally gifted emotions reader. Before discovering him and his work, I never knew what and how this ability is and works and whenever I tried to explain this “gift” to friends and family, the reactions seldom were serious or positive. Thanks to Mr. Ekman I finally found a method and explanation for using this ability and I no longer was seen as delusional.

Sadly I never got to thank you in person, but for your single mail response to my story I will forever be grateful!
Requiescat in pacem, Dr. Ekman, thank you very much!

– Thomas Falls

Dear Ekman family,
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of Dr. Paul Ekman. His remarkable contributions to the understanding of human emotion have left a lasting legacy. May his memory bring you comfort during this difficult time.
Rest in peace, Dr. Ekman.

With deepest sympathy
Katherin Monsalves

Dr Paul Ekman saved my life. I survived an abusive relationship and his books and programs about body language and microexpressions allowed me to feel safe again in public by preparing me to identify potential predators and dangerous situations.

He was a pioneer in his field and I am thankful for him every day.

– Kassee Evans

A brilliant star is shining in the cosmos. Keep shining my friend. Thank you for everything.

– Robin Voelkel

Desde Buenos Aires. Conocí su trabajo hace varios años.
Los cuales me estimularon a estudiar psicología.
Hoy como terapeuta uso lo aprendido de usted en mís consultas.
Gracias Dr.

– Diego Concas

I will always remember the hours I spent in front of my mirror learning the FACS. Feeling emotional tonight.

– Alicia Fournier

Sincèrement désolé d’apprendre le décès du Dr Ekman.

J’ai suivi ses travaux et avancées avec le plus grand intérêt depuis une quinzaine d’années.

Nous savons tous que son oeuvre de pionnier ne s’arrête pas avec lui.

– Patrice

Not a day goes by that your work doesn’t impact, enhance and enrich my life. Thank you for your contributions to the world.

– Christopher Pysola

Thank you dr Ekman i started studying Psychology thanks to you, one of my dreams was to be able to meet you. I have exposed your investigations i dont even know how many times in class. And just by reading your books i have learned so much. Im a different person know thanks to that you will always be my idol

– Diego Alvarado

Growing up a highly sensitive individual in a space that didn’t acknowledge the value of, let alone support, emotional well-being and compassion, I felt alone and ‘other’ amongst my peers and family. I had no tools, skills, or even context to understand my deeply felt emotions, not to mention the ones I would pick up from those around me.
Finding the work of Paul Ekman opened a door that truly changed my life, and I believe the lives of those around me. By poring over his work and research I was able to better understand the nature of emotions and embrace this facet of our shared humanity openly. His work illuminated how universal our emotional experiences are, offering a framework that allowed me to connect with others in a more grounded and human way. Eventually I was able to become a Cultivating Emotional Balance teacher and more formally share his work with others.

There are no words I can type or speak that can accurately represent the amount of admiration, appreciation, and gratitude I have for Paul and everything he did in his life and shared with the world. It is my hope that I will be able to support his legacy and be able to help others cultivate well-being through his work as I have.

Paul Ekman’s work changed my life. I started following his work when I was 14, reading “Emotions Revealed”, and “Emotional Awareness.” The lessons in “Emotional Awareness” were responsible for developing my personality and outlook on life, and now 16 years later I know I wouldn’t have been the same if I hadn’t read that book. I am eternally grateful to Dr. Ekman for his work, and have looked up to him for a large portion of my life. So thankful for all that he has done <3

– Tom Johnston

Very sad news…
Hearing about the passing of Dr. Paul Ekman hit me deeply.

I still remember the first time I read his book — it opened an entirely new world of understanding human emotion. Later, watching Lie to Me brought his research to life in a way that fascinated me even more.

I eventually had the chance to go through PEG training and earned certificates in Subtle Expressions and Micro Expressions.

Those learnings changed my life completely. They shaped how I see people, how I listen, how I connect — and they played a huge role in my journey to becoming a coach. His work didn’t just influence the world. It shaped me.
A profound loss. And an extraordinary legacy.

– Miroslav Czadek

As a nobody (an ordinary, anonymous lover of body language in the public at large), I rest on shoulders of shoulders which stand on Dr. Ekman’s extraordinary shoulders.

The understanding he pioneered has graced us all and left behind an immeasurable legacy. He changed our world tremendously for the better, while having fun and loving large in the process!

I salute his 91 years of VICTORY of humanity.

– Alicia Isen

He has been a blessing for the whole humanity, well beyond his discoveries and his stunning dedication to in-depth research. A wonderful, incredibly great man. May he truly rest in peace. May his legacy remain with us for always. May his daughter Eve, his collaborators, keep enlightening us with his great insights.Thank you very much indeed, Doctor Ekman. Very, very much obliged.

– Antonio Scuglia from Italy

Many condolences to the family and collogues. Such a loss for the world. I learned a lot from Dr. Ekman’s writings and continue to study his work. He had such a great mind and his willingness to share his knowledge was extraordinary. An extraordinary man whose loss will be felt deeply.

– Diane Kinney

I’m deeply sad for this announcement. My most sincere condolences to Dr. Ekman’s family and friends. I’ll keep his books nearer to my heart, being immensely grateful for all the knowledge they brought to my life.

With love from Italy,
Rossella De Bianchi, a reader and admirer.

As someone who has used Mr. Ekman’s research and teachings throughout my professional career, I can say that his contributions to to the world will endure and continue to improve society. He will be missed and I thank him for what his contributions have given me. My sincerest condolences to his family and close friends.

– Alex U

Your dedication to behavioral science, especially focused on nonverbal communication, has been my inspiration, training, and technical support throughout my professional life for the last 35 years. Thank you so much for everything!!

Grateful for Dr. Ekman’s work.

– Nancy Hathaway

Dr. Ekman’s work truly changed the way I see the world. It inspired me to shift my career and opened my eyes to what often goes unnoticed in human behavior. I’ve treasured one of his autographed books for years, and his insights will continue to guide me and many others.

I first came across Paul Ekman through the positive-psychology crowd; someone recommended his work. At the time I was a Marine working in intelligence, and his research on microexpressions, emotions, and deception detection was a game-changer for me. It didn’t just make me better at my job; it helped me understand people (and life) on a whole different level. Grateful for everything he put into the world. Semper Fi

– Lorenzo Corbo

Such very sad news to hear. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. I have been following his work for many years now, and frequently mention him in my talks and lectures. Although I never met him, I owe him a great deal in terms of my education and his training in microexpressions. Thank you in memory and celebration of a great life, well-lived.

– David Jefferies

It has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life to study Dr. Ekman’s work. I was a natural micro-mimic and emotion reader for as long as I can remember. Yet throughout my childhood, these abilities were misunderstood. I was often labelled as “too emotional,” “too sensitive,” or a “perfectionist.” The emotions I perceived in others rarely matched what people said aloud—family, teachers, and friends.

After earning my engineering degree in 2000, I realized that many people in the field chose to distance themselves from emotions altogether. Being an engineer seemed to mean avoiding emotional expression, and I began to hide or silence what I sensed so clearly.

Everything changed when I discovered Dr. Ekman’s training in 2010, along with his books on emotional intelligence and body language. His work validated what I had always felt. It showed me that my sensitivity was not a flaw, but a human skill—one that could be understood, developed, and used to help others. After earning my certificates with merit, I found my mission: to be a voice and a source of support for engineers who fear being labelled the way I once was.

Dr. Ekman gave me my power back. His research didn’t just change the way I understood emotions—it changed the way I understood myself. For that, I will always be grateful.

May his legacy continue to inspire those of us who believe that understanding emotions is a form of intelligence, courage, and connection.

– SERMIN CETIN

I had the great honor of working with Paul to automatically read expressions using our facial recognition software.

I am so pleased to have visited with Paul last May. You made a difference in the world! Rest in peace my friend.

– Larry Gardner

I owe so much to Dr. Paul Ekman. His work has shaped my life in ways I can hardly put into words. When I was 14, I started watching Lie to Me, and something about it struck me so deeply that I had to know who stood behind these ideas. That curiosity led me to Dr. Ekman, and from the very first moment I read about his work, I was completely captivated.
Thanks to him, my fascination with psychology, especially with emotions, grew stronger every single day. I devoured his books, studied the FACS manual, trained microexpressions and watched every interview I could find. When I wrote my scientific paper for school, I chose his research without hesitation. I remember my teacher asking why I was so calm on the day of my presentation.

The answer was simple: I wasn’t nervous because my heart was fully in it. My passion for Dr. Ekman’s work carried me through. His influence reached far beyond that one project. Dr. Ekman shaped the direction of my entire life. Thanks to him, I am now studying psychology. Not a single day passes without me talking about him, thinking about his research or feeling inspired by what he has given to the world. I truly cannot thank him enough. Finding my passion at such a young age is a gift, and he unknowingly gave it to me.

My goal is to follow this path with dedication and to honor his work in everything I do. Thank you, Dr. Ekman, for changing my life.

– Leni Stumm

On behalf of D.M.K.N. Education & Consulting, we extend our heartfelt appreciation for Dr. Paul Ekman’s extraordinary
contributions to the understanding of human emotion, nonverbal communication, and cross-cultural expression. His pioneering research has shaped the way educators, consultants, and practitioners around the world interpret and respond to the emotional lives of others.

Dr. Ekman’s work has deeply influenced our own mission to promote emotional intelligence, ethical communication, and human-centered learning. His dedication to scientific rigor and global understanding continues to guide our practice and inspire our community.

We honor his enduring legacy with gratitude and respect, and we join colleagues, students, and readers worldwide in celebrating a life that has profoundly enriched our collective knowledge and compassion.

– Elena Demkina

May he rest in peace.
The work of Dr. Eckman has given us invaluable insights into people’s emotions. Though I am by no means an expert, I use his teachings every day to become a better version of myself by paying a lot more attention to the people I talk to and develop more empathy. What has been seen cannot be unseen, and I am forever grateful for the knowledge that he has shared with us.

– Nik Bernaz

My deepest condolences to all who loved, cherished and respected Dr. Ekman. His works of facial expressions and emotions are some of the reasons I am studying psychology. I will be earning by BS in Psychology this coming May, this degree will be received in Dr. Ekman’s honor. RIP Sir.

– Katja Johnson

I have always been interested in psychology, and after watching the series based on Dr Ekman’s work I was hooked and have followed it ever since. The amazing work him did and what he leaves behind, his legacy will live on. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

– Mark Hibbert

A Tribute to a Visionary Mind Who Changed Lives

In 2015, I found myself deeply inspired by the groundbreaking work of this extraordinary scientist. His research and vision became the foundation upon which I built the EGO Technology and Mediation solution for Mental Health.

His insights helped me shape a platform with a clear and urgent purpose: to save lives affected by mental disorders, to prevent the suffering caused by emotional injuries in young people, and to offer hope to those battling suicidal thoughts.

His legacy lives on—not only in the scientific community, but in every life touched by the solutions his work made possible. I am forever grateful for the light he brought into the world, and I mourn his passing with deep respect and sorrow.

May his memory continue to inspire future generations to pursue knowledge with compassion and courage.
With heartfelt gratitude,

– Marshall Garcia

Dear Family,

My condolences on the passing of Dr Paul Ekman.

Through Paul Ekman International (EIA Group, UK) I came into contact with his work, which has profoundly inspired and shaped me, from my master’s studies to my current research. The books, articles, and films which he contributed to continually reminded me of the power of understanding emotions, both professionally and personally. His legacy will remain a lasting source of inspiration for many.

With sincere sympathy,
– Xavier Zeilinga

Dear Dr. Ekman,

I write to you as if to an old friend, sustained by the countless conversations we’ve shared only in my mind. Though we have never met, and perhaps never will, I felt compelled to let you know the immense impact your work has had on my life. It has truly been transformative.

With my deepest gratitude,
Our silent dialogues will surely continue.

I wish you a beautiful journey ahead.
Yours,
– Maurizio Loria

It was through Dr. Paul Ekman that I came to believe it was possible to study human beings. Studying humans is difficult because you cannot subject them to laboratory experiments. Dr. Paul Ekman showed me that science has many dimensions and that we can begin to objectify those data we always assumed were subjective. If today we know more about human behavior and the way the body reveals truths, we owe it to Dr. Paul Ekman. May he continue to study us wherever he is now, in peace.

– Maria João Soares Ribeiro

I learned of Dr. Ekman’s work watching the tv series “Lie To Me”. It sparked a desire to learn more and I referred to his work in my dissertation earning a degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. In my present work, I often reference some of his artistry in microexpression interpretation and hope I create an interest in the field with every person I meet. I will miss him and thank his family for sharing him with the world. My deepest condolences to his family!

– Dr. Greg Alford, PhD