French actor Tchéky Karyo has passed away at the age of 72. According to his wife, fellow actor Valérie Keruzoré, Karyo died last Friday, October 31, after a battle with cancer.
A statement released by the family read, “Valérie Keruzoré, his wife, and their children are saddened to announce the passing of Tchéky Karyo, who succumbed to cancer this Friday, October 31.”
Born in Istanbul, Karyo was a versatile actor known for his fluency in English, Spanish, French, and Arabic, which allowed him to take on a wide range of roles throughout his 40-year career. He gained international recognition for his starring role in Luc Besson’s action film *La Femme Nikita*, as well as appearances in the HBO miniseries *From the Earth to the Moon*.
Karyo was also highly praised for his role as Detective Julian Baptiste in the BBC crime drama *The Missing*. His compelling performance was so well received that it led to a spinoff series titled *Baptiste*, which ran for two seasons.
Over the years, the Istanbul-born actor took on diverse roles in films such as Besson’s *Joan of Arc*, the action movie *Bad Boys*, and the James Bond film *GoldenEye*. Even after the conclusion of *Baptiste*, Karyo continued to act, accumulating over 100 roles across both big and small screens.
His last appearance was in the 2025 film *Faster*, demonstrating his dedication to his craft until the very end.
Tchéky Karyo’s contribution to cinema and television remains significant, and he will be remembered for his dynamic performances and impressive career.
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