French actor Tchéky Karyo has died at the age of 72. Karyo was known for his roles in the film Nikita and the TV series The Missing. His death was announced by his wife, actress Valérie Keruzoré, and their children, according to AFP news agency. His agent confirmed he died of cancer on Friday.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Tchéky Karyo was born on October 4, 1953, in Istanbul, Turkey. His father was a Turkish lorry driver of Spanish-Jewish origin, and his mother was Greek. He grew up in Paris. After several years as a theatrical actor, Karyo's role in the 1982 crime thriller La Balance earned him a nomination for the César Award for Best Male Revelation.
Filmography
Karyo acted in films for nearly four decades, often featuring him in "hard man" roles. His film credits include:
- La Balance (1982)
- Luc Besson's Nikita (1990), in which he played the handler Bob.
- Ridley Scott's 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992)
- Luc Besson's Joan of Arc (1993)
- Nostradamus (1994), where he played the medieval prophet.
- The James Bond film GoldenEye (1995)
- Amélie (2001), appearing as a face in an ID photo.
- The anti-war film A Very Long Engagement (2004)
Television Roles
In his later years, Karyo began a career in television series. He portrayed the TV detective Julien Baptiste in The Missing (2009). This role led to a second series of The Missing, followed by two series of a spin-off show, Baptiste. Two years prior to his death, he also appeared in the BBC comedy thriller Boat Story.