French actor Tchéky Karyo, recognized for his work in films and television, has passed away at the age of 72. Born in Turkey and raised in Paris, Karyo succumbed to cancer on Friday, according to AFP.
His family, including his wife, actress Valérie Keruzoré, and their children, confirmed his death in a statement to the news agency.
Karyo’s career spanned almost four decades, during which he built a reputation for strong supporting performances in films before finding a renewed presence on television in his later years.
He first gained attention with the 1982 crime thriller La Balance, a role that earned him a nomination for the César Award for Best Male Revelation.
In 1990, Karyo played Bob, the handler, in Luc Besson’s Nikita, one of the roles that established him internationally. He continued to feature in a variety of French and international productions, including Joan of Arc (1993), A Very Long Engagement (2004), and Ridley Scott’s 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992).
He also appeared in the James Bond film GoldenEye (1995). Among his leading roles was the 1994 portrayal of the medieval prophet Nostradamus, while one of his smallest appearances was in Amélie (2001), where he appeared briefly as a face in an ID photograph.
Television audiences may remember Karyo most for his role as French detective Julien Baptiste in the BBC series The Missing. The first series, which aired in 2014, followed the search for a missing boy in France and featured James Nesbitt and Frances O’Connor as the child’s parents.
Karyo returned for the second series in 2016, set in Germany, investigating a missing girl alongside David Morrissey and Keeley Hawes. Both series received positive reviews, with critics praising Karyo’s performance.
In February 2019, a spin-off series titled Baptiste aired on BBC One, further showcasing Karyo’s talent and dedication to his craft. Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, expressed her condolences, saying, "We are so sad to learn of the passing of Tchéky Karyo. He was a truly brilliant and much loved actor and he will be fondly remembered by BBC viewers for his roles in The Missing, Baptiste and most recently Boat Story.
Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time."
Tchéky Karyo was born on 4 October 1953 in Istanbul to a Turkish lorry driver of Spanish-Jewish descent and a Greek mother, according to Le Monde.
His commanding presence, strong jaw, and penetrating gaze made him a memorable figure in both French and international cinema. Through his varied career, Karyo left a lasting impact on audiences worldwide, remembered as a versatile actor who brought intensity and depth to every role he undertook.
