French-Turkish actor Tcheky Karyo dies at 72
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Tcheky Karyo garnered attention in 1990 playing the hard-nosed secret agent handling Anne Parillaud’s female assassin in Luc Besson’s Nikita.
PHOTO: AFP
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- Actor Tcheky Karyo, known for roles in Luc Besson films and international productions, died on October 31 at age 72 due to cancer.
- Karyo gained recognition in French cinema in the 1980s and later starred as a secret agent in Besson's hit film, Nikita.
- His language skills enabled him to work internationally, appearing in films like The Bear, 1492: Conquest of Paradise and Amelie.
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PARIS - Actor Tcheky Karyo, who appeared in some of director Luc Besson’s biggest hits and a string of international films, died on Oct 31 at the age of 72, his family announced.
A statement from his wife and children sent to AFP said he had “succumbed to cancer this Friday, October 31”.
The actor appeared in many action and adventure films, sometimes as the lead but more often in supporting roles.
Born in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1953, he started out in French cinema in the 1980s, getting some early awards and nominations.
He was the hunter in Jean Jacques Annaud’s 1988 wilderness adventure The Bear.
Then in 1990, he got attention for his turn as the hard-nosed secret agent handling Anne Parillaud’s female assassin Nikita, in Besson’s hit film of the same name.
His gift for languages – he spoke French, English and Spanish among others – meant he was soon appearing in international productions, such as Ridley Scott’s historical epic 1492: Conquest of Paradise.
He worked regularly in cinema and television in France and abroad, appearing in films as varied as Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s 2001 whimsical comedy Amelie, to Brazilian director Walter Salles’ 1995 thriller Foreign Land.
