Tchéky Karyo, the French actor known for his roles in “la Femme Nikita,” “the Missing,” and as a Bond villain in “GoldenEye,” has died at age 72. Karyo passed away on Monday,January 22,2024,leaving behind a prolific career spanning decades and a legacy of compelling performances in both French and international cinema.
Karyo’s death marks the loss of a versatile character actor who seamlessly transitioned between French art-house films and Hollywood blockbusters. His ability to portray both menacing antagonists and sympathetic figures made him a favorite among filmmakers and audiences alike. He is survived by his wife, actress Valérie Keruzoré, and their two children, Louise and Liv.
Born in Istanbul on october 4,1953,to a Turkish delivery man and builder,Karyo was raised in Paris. His early life took a challenging turn when his mother asked him to leave home at age 13 following her parents’ separation. “She put me out,” he recalled. “It was terrible. my world was breaking.” Despite this hardship, he pursued his passion for acting.
Karyo began his acting journey at the National Theater of Strasbourg and quickly gained recognition with his performance in Libra (1982), earning a César Award for “best male revelation.” He then established himself in French cinema with leading roles in critically acclaimed films such as Eric Rohmer’s Full Moon in Paris (1984), Sorceress (1987), The bear (1988), and Vincent and Me (1990), where he portrayed vincent Van Gogh.
his international breakthrough came with Luc Besson’s stylish action thriller “La Femme Nikita” (1990), followed by roles in “Nostradamus” (1994), “Bad Boys” (1995), and “GoldenEye” (1995), where he played the formidable russian defense minister Dimitri Mishkin opposite Pierce Brosnan’s debut as James Bond.
Karyo continued to work steadily in both French and American productions, appearing in films including Australia (1989), Operation Dumbo Drop (1995), saving Grace (2000), The Core (2003), A Very long Engagement (2004), Taking Lives (2004), A Previous Engagement (2008), The Way (2010), The Lyonnais (2011), Daydreams (2016), and most recently, The Killer (2024).
Beyond acting, Karyo was a musician and songwriter, releasing two albums, *This bond that unites us* (2006) and *Credo* (2013). His multifaceted talents and dedication to his craft will be remembered by those who knew him and the many fans who enjoyed his work.
