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French actor Tchéky Karyo dies at 72 after battle with cancer
Tchéky Karyo, the Turkish-born French actor celebrated for his roles in *Nikita* and the BBC series *The Missing*, has died at the age of 72, AFP reported Friday. His death, attributed to cancer, was confirmed by his wife, actress Valérie Keruzoré, and their children in a statement to the news agency.
A career spanning film and television
Karyo, who grew up in Paris after being born in Istanbul on 4 October 1953, built a nearly four-decade-long career in cinema before transitioning to television in his later years. The son of a Turkish lorry driver of Spanish-Jewish descent and a Greek mother, he first gained recognition in 1982 with *La Balance*, a crime thriller that earned him a César Award nomination for Best Male Revelation.
His striking presence-marked by a strong jawline and an intense gaze-led to roles in over 100 films, from Luc Besson's *Nikita* (1990), where he played the handler Bob, to Ridley Scott's *1492: Conquest of Paradise* (1992) and the James Bond film *GoldenEye* (1995). He also portrayed Nostradamus in the 1994 biopic of the same name and appeared briefly in *Amélie* (2001) as a face in an ID photograph.
Breakthrough in British television
British audiences knew Karyo best for his portrayal of French detective Julien Baptiste in *The Missing* (2014-2016), a critically acclaimed BBC series about disappearances in Europe. The first season, set in France, starred James Nesbitt and Frances O'Connor as parents searching for their son, while the second, set in Germany, featured David Morrissey and Keeley Hawes. Karyo's performance as Baptiste earned widespread praise, leading to a 2019 spin-off series, *Baptiste*, also broadcast on BBC One.
"We are so sad to learn of the passing of Tchéky Karyo. He was a truly brilliant and much-loved actor and 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."
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama
Legacy in European cinema
Beyond commercial successes, Karyo contributed to arthouse and historical films, including Besson's *Joan of Arc* (1999) and Jean-Pierre Jeunet's anti-war epic *A Very Long Engagement* (2004). His ability to embody complex, often brooding characters cemented his reputation as a versatile actor in both French and international productions.
Karyo's death leaves a void in European cinema, where his career bridged theatrical roots, blockbuster appeal, and television drama. No further details about memorial arrangements have been released.
