Tchéky Karyo, star of Nikita and The Missing, dies at 72

Tchéky Karyo, the celebrated French actor known for his roles in the film *Nikita* and the TV series *The Missing*, has died at the age of 72. His agent confirmed to AFP that Karyo succumbed to cancer on Friday. Born in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 4, 1953, Karyo grew up in Paris and carved out a prolific career spanning nearly four decades in film and television. He first gained recognition for his role in the 1982 crime thriller *La Balance*, which earned him a César Award nomination for Best Male Revelation. Karyo’s versatility allowed him to transition seamlessly between genres, from playing the handler Bob in Luc Besson’s *Nikita* (1990) to portraying the medieval prophet Nostradamus in the 1994 film of the same name. He also appeared in international productions such as Ridley Scott’s *1492: Conquest of Paradise* (1992) and the James Bond film *GoldenEye* (1995). In his later years, Karyo found renewed fame as Detective Julien Baptiste in *The Missing* (2009), a role that led to a spin-off series, *Baptiste*. His final appearance was in the BBC comedy thriller *Boat Story* in 2021. Karyo is survived by his wife, actress Valérie Keruzoré, and their children. His legacy as a versatile and compelling actor continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.