Tchéky Karyo dead: Baptiste and The Missing icon dies as tributes flood in

Tchéky Karyo has sadly died at the age of 72. The French actor, who was born in Istanbul but raised in Paris, died from cancer and is survived by his actress wife Valérie Keruzoré and their children, Louise and Liv. His agent confirmed the tragic news today (October 31). Best known for his role as Julien Baptiste in BBC hit show The Missing from 2014 until 2016, he went on to land a spin-off, Baptiste, that ran for two seasons.

Karyo also starred in films including 1995's Bad Boys, 2003 release The Core and 1999's Babel. Over the years he was candid about his journey into later life, confessing he was "flattered" to be considered a sex symbol in his 60s. He said in 2019: "I didn't expect that, I didn't think of it. I appreciated it obviously, but it is not something I am thinking of every second. But it is flattering, makes you feel good.

"But the character is not reducible to that. I am happy about it, it's nice, I'm happy.

"I am a father also. I have a six-year-old daughter and a two-year-old boy. I'm glad because when I had those children, I thought: 'At my age, doing children, I will be the grandfather of my children', but no."

That year, he said he "didn't feel" 65.

Tributes have been flooding in for the actor online, with one social media user posting: "Rest in peace to actor Tchéky Karyo, who passed away at the age of 72. Personally, I loved him in all his roles. He was so intense and charismatic. May he rest in peace."

Another echoed: "Jeez, such sad news about Tchéky Karyo - a really good actor and a very nice fellow. Vale Tchéky."

Somebody else said: "Sad to hear that cancer has taken Tchéky Karyo, star of Baptiste and The Missing. The 72-year-old was born in Turkey but grew up in Paris; he acted in supporting roles for decades and then in 1990, Luc Besson's Nikita brought him to a wider audience. RIP."