Tchéky Karyo, ‘The Missing,’ ‘Addicted to Love’ and ‘Bad Boys’ Actor, Dies at 72

Tchéky Karyo, the French actor who starred in the BBC’s “The Missing” and “Baptiste” and appeared in “La Femme Nikita,” “Addicted to Love,” “Bad Boys” and “GoldenEye,” died of cancer on Oct. 31, according to AFP. He was 72.

Born in Istanbul in 1953, Karyo’s family moved to Paris when he was young. There, he studied drama at the Cyrano Theatre and later performed as part of the Daniel Sorano Company. As a young man, he joined the National Theatre of Strasbourg and began acting in French films. He had notable early roles in Jean-Jacques Annaud’s “The Bear” and Luc Besson’s “La Femme Nikita.”

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In the 1990s, Karyo started appearing in Hollywood movies. He played the title character in “Nostradamus,” a villain opposite Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in “Bad Boys,” an adversary opposite Jet Li in “Kiss of the Dragon,” a French officer opposite Mel Gibson in “The Patriot” and a Russian Defense Minister opposite Pierce Brosnan in his first turn as James Bond in “GoldenEye.” He also appeared in Ridley Scott’s “1492: Conquest of Paradise” and had a memorable role as a French restaurant owner in Griffin Dunne’s “Addicted to Love.”

Throughout the new millennium, he acted in several American and French movies and shows. In 2014, he began portraying detective Julien Baptiste in “The Missing.” He played the central character for two seasons and then reprised the role for a two-season spinoff, “Baptiste” from 2019 through 2021. Earlier this year, he appeared in the French comedy film “Faster.”

Karyo was also a songwriter and musician and had released two albums throughout his career. He was married twice, first to actress Isabelle Pasco. After their divorce, he married actress Valérie Keruzoré in 2002. They remained married up until his death.

He is survived by Keruzoré and their two children, Louise and Liv.