French Actor Cheki Kario Dies at 72
PARIS – Veteran French actor Cheki Kario has died at the age of 72, leaving behind a rich legacy in European and international cinema. Kario was known for his compelling performances in films like The Bear and Nikita, and a career spanning four decades.
born on October 4, 1953, in Istanbul, Kario’s heritage was as diverse as the roles he embodied - the son of a Turkish truck driver descended from a Jewish Spanish family, and a greek mother. He began his acting journey with a debut in Chantal Akerman’s every Night in 1982, quickly gaining recognition with a “Cesar” award nomination for Moast Promising Actor the same year for his portrayal of Petrovich in The Balance.
Kario achieved widespread popularity in 1988 with his role as a hunter in Jean-Jacques Annaud’s critically acclaimed The Bear. He continued to collaborate with prominent directors, notably appearing as Anne Parillot’s mentor in Luc Besson’s nikita (1990). Besson would later cast him in Joan of Arc (1999) and Kiss of the Dragon (2001).
the 1990s marked a turning point,propelling Kario onto the international stage. He shared the screen with Gerard Depardieu in 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992), and appeared alongside Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in Bad Boys (1995). That same year, he took on the role of the Russian Minister of Defense in the James Bond film GoldenEye.
In later years, Kario embraced challenging roles in darker films directed by Olivier Panchot, portraying complex characters such as a Marseille gangster, an alcoholic, and a troubled father. His dedication to nuanced performances cemented his reputation as a versatile and respected actor within the film industry.
