GLOBAL – Tchéky Karyo, the acclaimed French actor whose intense performances captivated global audiences in films like Luc Besson’s “Nikita” and the hit BBC series “The Missing,” died on Friday, 31 October 2025, at the age of 72. His family confirmed his death was due to cancer in a statement released to Agence France-Presse (AFP). The announcement was made by his wife, actress Valérie Keruzoré, and their children.

Born Baruh Djaki Karyo in Istanbul, Turkey, on 4 October 1953, to a Turkish Jewish father and a Greek Jewish mother, he moved to Paris in his youth and later adopted the French transliteration of his name. He began his career on the stage, training at the Cyrano Theatre and later joining the Daniel Sorano Company, before making his mark in French cinema in the early 1980s.

His breakout role came in the 1982 crime thriller “La Balance,” which earned him a prestigious César Award nomination for Most Promising Actor. This set the stage for a prolific, four-decade career that saw him move seamlessly between French productions and major Hollywood blockbusters. His multilingual abilities, including fluency in French, English, Spanish, and Arabic, made him a versatile and sought-after character actor.

To international audiences, Karyo was perhaps best known as Bob, the enigmatic and mentor-like handler in Luc Besson's stylish 1990 assassin thriller “La Femme Nikita.” The role became a touchstone of the genre and showcased his signature blend of menace and gravitas. He also featured in major international films such as the James Bond movie “GoldenEye” (1995), “Bad Boys” (1995) opposite Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, and Roland Emmerich’s “The Patriot” (2000).

In his later career, Karyo found a new generation of admirers through television. He earned widespread critical acclaim for his portrayal of Julien Baptiste, the dogged and humane French detective in the BBC/Starz drama series “The Missing” (2014-2016). The character proved so popular that it led to a spin-off series, “Baptiste,” which aired in 2019 and 2021, cementing his legacy on the small screen.

Global Reach and Kenyan Context

While Tchéky Karyo's career did not feature direct projects or collaborations within Kenya or the East Africa region, his work reached local audiences through the global distribution of his films and television series. French cinema has a dedicated following in Kenya, supported by institutions like the Alliance Française in Nairobi, which regularly hosts French film festivals and screenings. Karyo's films, particularly international hits like “Nikita” and “GoldenEye,” would have been part of the cinematic landscape for Kenyan moviegoers of the 1990s and beyond.

The rise of streaming services and digital platforms in recent years has made international series like “The Missing” more accessible to Kenyan viewers, introducing them to Karyo's compelling television work. According to a 2023 Media Council of Kenya report, 43% of Kenyan television viewers access content through digital platforms, online streaming, or digital TV apps, highlighting the channels through which Karyo's later work likely found a Kenyan audience. His passing represents the loss of a significant talent whose extensive body of work contributed to the global cinematic and television culture enjoyed by audiences worldwide, including in Kenya.

Karyo is survived by his wife, Valérie Keruzoré, and their two children.