Actor from ‘The Missing,’ ‘La Femme Nikita’ Passes at 72
Tchéky Karyo, the acclaimed Turkish-born French actor known for his roles in hit series and films, has passed away at the age of 72. His family confirmed that he died on Friday after a battle with cancer.
Career Highlights of Tchéky Karyo
Karyo’s career spanned over four decades, featuring notable performances in both film and television. He gained international acclaim for his role as detective Julien Baptiste in the BBC series The Missing. He starred in two seasons of the show in 2014 and 2016, and later reprised his role in the 2019 spinoff Baptiste.
Notable Film Appearances
- La Femme Nikita (1989) – Karyo played “Uncle Bob,” a key character in the Luc Besson classic.
- 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992) – He portrayed Martín Alonso Pinzón alongside Gérard Depardieu.
- The Patriot (2000) – Featured as French Major Jean Villeneuve opposite Mel Gibson.
- Addicted to Love (1997) – Played Anton, a French restaurant owner.
- GoldenEye (1995) – Cast as the Russian defense minister, Dimitri Mishkin.
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Karyo was born on October 4, 1953, in Istanbul. He moved to Paris during his childhood and faced challenges after his parents’ separation at 13. Despite these hardships, he pursued acting, eventually joining the National Theatre of Strasbourg.
His breakout role came with the film La Balance (1982), for which he received a César Award for “best male revelation.” His talent and charisma quickly made him a sought-after actor in the French film industry.
Legacy Beyond Acting
In addition to his cinematic achievements, Karyo was also a musician and songwriter. He released two albums: Ce lien qui nous unit in 2006 and Credo in 2013.
Karyo’s family remembers him fondly, including his second wife, actress Valérie Keruzoré, and their two children, Louise and Liv. His contributions to both film and music have left a lasting impact and he will be deeply missed.
