French Actor from ‘The Missing’ Dies at 72
Tchéky Karyo, a renowned French actor, passed away on October 31 after battling cancer. He was 72 years old. Karyo is best known for his roles in the BBC series “The Missing” and its spinoff “Baptiste.” His talent was also showcased in films such as “La Femme Nikita,” “Bad Boys,” and “GoldenEye.”
Early Life and Career
Born in Istanbul in 1953, Karyo’s family relocated to Paris during his childhood. He began his artistic journey studying drama at the Cyrano Theatre. Karyo’s early career was marked by performances with the Daniel Sorano Company and the National Theatre of Strasbourg.
Notable Film Roles
Karyo made a strong impact in both French and Hollywood films. His significant early films include:
- “The Bear” directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud
- “La Femme Nikita” directed by Luc Besson
During the 1990s, Karyo appeared in several notable Hollywood productions:
- “Nostradamus” where he played the title character
- “Bad Boys” as a villain opposite Will Smith and Martin Lawrence
- “Kiss of the Dragon” facing off against Jet Li
- “The Patriot” alongside Mel Gibson
- “GoldenEye,” featuring him as a Russian Defense Minister against Pierce Brosnan
Television and Later Projects
In the 2000s, Karyo continued his successful career by acting in various American and French films. He gained international acclaim for his role as detective Julien Baptiste in “The Missing,” which aired in 2014. The character was central to the series for two seasons. Karyo later reprised the role in the spinoff “Baptiste” from 2019 through 2021.
This year, he was featured in the French comedy film “Faster.”
Personal Life
Apart from acting, Karyo was also a songwriter and musician, having released two albums over his career. He was married twice, first to actress Isabelle Pasco and later to Valérie Keruzoré in 2002. They remained together until his passing, and he is survived by Keruzoré and their two daughters, Louise and Liv.
