Tchéky Karyo ([tʃeki kɑʁˈjo] ; born Baruh Djaki Karyo ; 4 October 1953) is a Turkish-born French actor and musician. Beginning his career as an actor on stage in classical and contemporary works, he began to work as a character actor in films in the 1980s. He has acted in numerous films by Hollywood and French directors, including Luc Besson .
He was named Baruh Djaki Karyo at birth in 1953 in Istanbul , Turkey; his mother was Greek and his father was Turkish Jewish. When he was young, his family moved to Paris, France, where he grew up. The spelling of his name, Djaki, was changed to Tchéky in a form of French transliteration. As a young man, Karyo studied drama at the Cyrano Theatre and later became a member of the Daniel Sorano Company, playing many classical roles.
Karyo joined the National Theatre of Strasbourg , where he starred in both contemporary and classical plays. He found success in French films beginning in the 1980s, first as a character actor. He later appeared in leading roles in several notable films, such as The Bear , in which he played one of the hunters, and director Luc Besson 's Nikita , in which he played the heroine's spy mentor.
He has participated in many Hollywood movies, often portraying a French character, in the same fashion as Jean Reno . He has acted in prominent roles in major films set during wartime. Laudable performances include his acting as a vengeful French officer alongside Mel Gibson in The Patriot (2000), set during the American Revolutionary War , and his role as Jean de Dunois in The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc . In the DVD edition of The Patriot , Karyo overdubbed his own lines on the French-language track.
In 2014 and 2016 Karyo has received critical praise for his performance as Julien Baptiste in the acclaim BBC One drama series The Missing .
Karyo is also a musician and songwriter, known for his poetic lyrics. He released the highly acclaimed 2006 album Ce lien qui nous unit (translated in English as "the link that binds us"), and released Credo in 2013 on his 60th birthday.
He was nominated for a César Award for Most Promising Actor for his role in La Balance . In 1986, he was awarded the Jean Gabin Prize in recognition of his acting performances.
Karyo married Isabelle Pasco but they divorced.
1992 : "Born On The Wrong Side Of Town" Jaye Muller (J.) (directed by Jean Baptiste Mondino) 2005 : "L'avenir est à nous" Kool Shen feat Rohff & Dadoo (directed by J.G Biggs) Actor
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Mémoire vive (pre-production) as
Victor
-
The Sword of Thyrus (pre-production) as
Maardin
-
L'Araignée Rouge as
Simon Delaunay
2023
Boat Story (TV Mini Series) as
The Tailor
- Episode #1.6 (2023) - The Tailor
- Episode #1.5 (2023) - The Tailor
- Episode #1.4 (2023) - The Tailor
- Episode #1.3 (2023) - The Tailor
- Episode #1.2 (2023) - The Tailor
- Episode #1.1 (2023) - The Tailor
2023
Liaison (TV Series) as
Miller
- An Eye for an Eye (2023) - Miller
2023
Serial Driver as
Jean-Yves Lapick
2022
La Forêt des disparus (TV Mini Series) as
Franz Agerland
- Épisode 4 (2022) - Franz Agerland
- Épisode 3 (2022) - Franz Agerland
- Épisode 2 (2022) - Franz Agerland
- Épisode 1 (2022) - Franz Agerland
2022
Romantique as
Pascal, le père
2022
Women at War (TV Mini Series) as
Général Duvernet
- Épisode 8 (2022) - Général Duvernet
- Épisode 7 (2022) - Général Duvernet
- Épisode 6 (2022) - Général Duvernet
- Épisode 5 (2022) - Général Duvernet
- Épisode 4 (2022) - Général Duvernet
- Épisode 3 (2022) - Général Duvernet
- Épisode 2 (2022) - Général Duvernet
- Épisode 1 (2022) - Général Duvernet
2021
La vie d'avant (Short) as
André
2021
Noël à tous les étages as
Georges
2021
Vicky and Her Mystery as
Bruno
2019
Baptiste (TV Series) as
Julien Baptiste
- Into the Sand (2019) - Julien Baptiste
- Lucy (2019) - Julien Baptiste
- Vertrouwen (2019) - Julien Baptiste
- For Blood (2019) - Julien Baptiste
- Measure of a Man (2019) - Julien Baptiste
- Shell (2019) - Julien Baptiste
2020
Possessions (TV Series) as
Yoel
- Out (2020) - Yoel
- Love and other deamons (2020) - Yoel
- The chronology of pain (2020) - Yoel
- A late goodbye (2020) - Yoel
- Red wedding (2020) - Yoel
- The reenactment (2020) - Yoel
2020
Charon (Short) as
The Man
2020
The Eddy (TV Mini Series) as
Daniel Perrin
- Maja (2020) - Daniel Perrin
2020
Mermaid in Paris as
Camille
2019
ZeroZeroZero (TV Series) as
François Salvage
- Miranda (2020) - François Salvage
- Tampico Skies (2019) - François Salvage
- The Shipment (2019) - François Salvage
2019
The Name of the Rose (TV Series) as
Papa Giovanni XXII
- Episode #1.8 (2019) - Papa Giovanni XXII (as Tcheky Karyo)
- Episode #1.7 (2019) - Papa Giovanni XXII (as Tcheky Karyo, credit only)
- Episode #1.6 (2019) - Papa Giovanni XXII (as Tcheky Karyo, credit only)
- Episode #1.5 (2019) - Papa Giovanni XXII (as Tcheky Karyo, credit only)
- Episode #1.4 (2019) - Papa Giovanni XXII (as Tcheky Karyo)
- Episode #1.3 (2019) - Papa Giovanni XXII (as Tcheky Karyo, credit only)
- Episode #1.2 (2019) - Papa Giovanni XXII (as Techky Karyo)
- Episode #1.1 (2019) - Papa Giovanni XXII (as Tcheky Karyo)
2018
War on Beasts (TV Series) as
Serge Tokarev
- Épisode 6 (2018) - Serge Tokarev
- Épisode 5 (2018) - Serge Tokarev
- Épisode 4 (2018) - Serge Tokarev
- Épisode 3 (2018) - Serge Tokarev
- Épisode 2 (2018) - Serge Tokarev (credit only)
- Épisode 1 (2018) - Serge Tokarev (credit only)
2018
Genius (TV Series) as
Henri Rousseau
- Picasso: Chapter Six (2018) - Henri Rousseau
2017
Belle and Sebastian, Friends for Life as
César
2017
I Didn't Shoot Jesse James (Short) as
Bob Ford
2014
The Missing (TV Series) as
Julien Baptiste
- The Mountain (2016) - Julien Baptiste
- 1991 (2016) - Julien Baptiste
- Saint John (2016) - Julien Baptiste
- Das Vergessen (2016) - Julien Baptiste
- Statice (2016) - Julien Baptiste
- A Prison Without Walls (2016) - Julien Baptiste
- The Turtle and the Stick (2016) - Julien Baptiste
- Come Home (2016) - Julien Baptiste
- Till Death (2014) - Julien Baptiste
- Return to Eden (2014) - Julien Baptiste
- Concrete (2014) - Julien Baptiste
- Molly (2014) - Julien Baptiste
- Gone Fishing (2014) - Julien Baptiste
- The Meeting (2014) - Julien Baptiste
- Pray for Me (2014) - Julien Baptiste
- Eden (2014) - Julien Baptiste
2016
Section Zéro (TV Series) as
Franck Varnove
- Du sang et des larmes (2016) - Franck Varnove
- Bloc 13 (2016) - Franck Varnove
- Sirius requiem (2016) - Franck Varnove
- Entre les vivants et les morts (2016) - Franck Varnove
- Soldats de l'ombre (2016) - Franck Varnove
- Renaissance (2016) - Franck Varnove
- Au royaume des morts (2016) - Franck Varnove
- La chimère (2016) - Franck Varnove (credit only)
2015
Belle & Sebastian: The Adventure Continues as
César
2015
Through the Air as
Armand Cavelle
2014
Un mort sur le trottoir (Short) as
Le juge
2014
De guerre lasse as
Armand
2013
No Limit (TV Series) as
Koskas
- Panique chimique (2013) - Koskas
- Vacances j'oublie tout (2013) - Koskas (credit only)
- Le prototype (2013) - Koskas
- Mariage à haut risque (2013) - Koskas
- Mort ou vif (2013) - Koskas
- Braquage à la marseillaise (2013) - Koskas
- Infiltration (2013) - Koskas
- Diamants de sang (2013) - Koskas
2013
Belle & Sebastian as
César
2013
Jappeloup as
Marcel Rozier
2012
L'étoile du jour as
Heroy
2011
Les Lyonnais as
Serge Suttel
2011
Special Forces as
Amiral Guezennec
2011
L'itinéraire (Short) as
José
2011
Fabienne as
Le commissaire Mérendon
2011
Requiem for a Killer as
l'Arménien
2009
Le coeur de la terre (Short) as
Narrator (voice)
2009
Kaamelott (TV Series short) as
Manius Macrinus Firmus
- Lacrimosa (2009) - Manius Macrinus Firmus (as Tcheky Karyo)
- Arturus Rex (2009) - Manius Macrinus Firmus (as Tcheky Karyo)
- Nuptiæ (2009) - Manius Macrinus Firmus (as Tcheky Karyo)
- Dux Bellorum (2009) - Manius Macrinus Firmus (as Tcheky Karyo)
- Præceptores (2009) - Manius Macrinus Firmus (as Tcheky Karyo)
- Centurio (2009) - Manius Macrinus Firmus (as Tcheky Karyo)
- Miles ignotus (2009) - Manius Macrinus Firmus (as Tcheky Karyo)
2008
A Man and His Dog as
Guitariste parc
2008
Les dents de la nuit as
Le Duc de Journiac
2008
A Previous Engagement as
Alex Belmont
2008
The Impossible Truth (TV Movie) as
Juge François Marceau
2008
La résistance (TV Series documentary) as
Récitant / Narrator (voice)
2007
Les cerfs-volants (TV Movie) as
Ambroise
2007
Jacquou le croquant as
Le chevalier
2006
The Gravedancers as
Vincent Cochet
2005
S.A.C.: Des hommes dans l'ombre (TV Movie) as
Louis Routier
2005
Les rois maudits (TV Mini Series) as
Philippe le Bel
- Le Roi de Fer (2005) - Philippe le Bel (as Tcheky Karyo)
2005
The 4 Musketeers (TV Series) as
Le cardinal de Richelieu
- Episode #1.2 (2005) - Le cardinal de Richelieu
- Episode #1.1 (2005) - Le cardinal de Richelieu
2004
A Very Long Engagement as
Capitaine Favourier (as Tcheky Karyo)
2004
Old Goriot (TV Movie) as
Vautrin
2004
Ne quittez pas! as
Raveu, le banquier
2003
The Core as
Serge (as Tcheky Karyo)
2002
CinéMagique (Short) as
Knight
2001
Kiss of the Dragon as
Insp. Richard
2000
The Patriot as
Jean Villeneuve
2000
Arabian Nights (TV Mini Series) as
Black Coda
- Episode #1.2 (2000) - Black Coda (as Tcheky Karyo)
- Episode #1.1 (2000) - Black Coda (as Tcheky Karyo)
2000
Saving Grace as
Jacques (as Tcheky Karyo)
1999
The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc as
Dunois (as Tcheky Karyo)
1999
My Life So Far as
Gabriel Chenoux (as Tcheky Karyo)
1999
Comme un poisson hors de l'eau as
B.B.
1999
Wing Commander as
Commodore James 'Paladin' Taggart
1998
Let There Be Light as
Harper
1998
Passage to Paradise as
Renato
1998
From the Earth to the Moon (TV Mini Series) as
George Melies
- Le voyage dans la lune (1998) - George Melies (as Tcheky Karyo)
1997
Les mille merveilles de l'univers as
Professor Larsen
1997
Dobermann as
Commissaire Sauveur Cristini
1997
Addicted to Love as
Anton (as Tcheky Karyo)
1996
Les liens du coeur (TV Movie) as
Silas Marner
1996
To Have & to Hold as
Jack
1996
Albergo Roma as
Federale Apolloni
1996
Va' dove ti porta il cuore as
Ernesto
1995
La règle du silence (TV Movie) as
Barreto
1995
Terra Estrangeira as
Kraft
1995
GoldenEye as
Dimitri Mishkin (as Tcheky Karyo)
1995
Crying Freeman as
Detective Netah (as Tcheky Karyo)
1995
Operation Dumbo Drop as
Goddard (as Tcheky Karyo)
1995
Bad Boys as
Fouchet (as Tcheky Karyo)
1995
Zadoc et le bonheur as
Zadoc
1994
Innocent Obsession as
Nickki
1994
L'ange noir as
Paul Delorme
1994
Nostradamus as
Nostradamus
1994
Fear City: A Family-Style Comedy as
M. Jacques, le projectionniste #1 (as Tcheky Karyo)
1993
And the Band Played On (TV Movie) as
Dr. Willy Rozenbaum
1992
J.: Born on the Wrong Side of Town (Music Video) as
Tchéky Karyo
1992
Red Shoe Diaries (TV Series) as
Phillip
- Just Like That (1992) - Phillip
1992
Trop près des Dieux (Short) as
Henri Georges
1992
L'Atlantide as
Lieutenant Morhange
1992
1492: Conquest of Paradise as
Pinzon (as Tcheky Karyo)
1992
Sketch Artist (TV Movie) as
Paul Korbel
1991
Husbands and Lovers as
Paolo
1991
A Grande Arte as
Hermes (as Tcheky Karyo)
1991
Isabelle Eberhardt as
Slimene
1990
Vincent and Me as
Vincent Van Gogh
1990
Cinéma 16 (TV Series) as
Sylvain
- La maison dans la dune (1990) - Sylvain
1990
La fille des collines as
Vincent
1990
Nikita as
Bob (as Tcheky Karyo)
1989
Corps perdus as
Eric Desange
1989
Australia as
Julien Pierson
1987
Sorceress as
Etienne de Bourbon (as Tcheky Karyo)
1986
États d'âme as
Bertrand Paliero
1986
Bleu comme l'enfer as
Franck
1985
Contes clandestins as
Philippe
1985
Grottenolm as
Gerome Holm
1984
Le matelot 512 as
Le balafré / André
1984
Full Moon in Paris as
Remi
1984
Machinations (TV Series) as
Marc Berger
1983
Le Marginal as
Francis Pierron
1983
La java des ombres as
Xavier
1982
La balance as
Petrovic (as Tcheky Karyo)
1982
Que les gros salaires lèvent le doigt!
1982
A Whole Night (as Tcheky Karyo)
1982
The Return of Martin Guerre as
Augustin
Soundtrack
2020
The Eddy (TV Mini Series) (performer - 1 episode) - Maja (2020) - (performer: "Le Serpent qui Danse")
Thanks
2013
Entends ce cri... (Short) (thanks)
2012
L'étoile du jour (thanks)
2011
The Extraordinary Voyage (Documentary) (many thanks - as Tcheky Karyo)
1990
The Man Inside (thanks - as Tcheky Karyo)
Self
2022
Pascale Ogier, voyage astral (Podcast Series documentary) as
Self
1983
La nuit des Césars (TV Series documentary) as
Self - Presenter / Self / Self - Nominee
- 45e cérémonie des César (2020) - Self - Presenter
- 22ème nuit des Césars (1997) - Self
- 16ème nuit des Césars (1991) - Self - Presenter
- 14ème nuit des Césars (1989) - Self - Presenter
- 12ème nuit des Césars (1987) - Self - Presenter
- 11ème nuit des Césars (1986) - Self - Presenter
- 8ème nuit des Césars (1983) - Self - Nominee
2019
CBeebies Bedtime Story (TV Series short) as
Self - Storyteller
- A Bit Lost (2019) - Self - Storyteller
2016
Top Gear France (TV Series) as
Self
- Top 5 des supercars (2017) - Self
- Les indestructibles (2016) - Self
2016
Wild Tales from the Village (TV Movie documentary) as
Self - Narrator
2016
Belle et Sébastien 2: l'histoire d'une suite (Video documentary short) as
Self
2016
Folie passagère (TV Series) as
Self
- Catherine Ceylac et Tcheky Karyo (2016) - Self
2014
Breakfast (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 1 December 2014 (2014) - Self
2014
La parenthèse inattendue (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 26 March 2014 (2014) - Self
2013
Comment ça va bien! (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 16 December 2013 (2013) - Self
2013
C à vous (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 10 December 2013 (2013) - Self
- Episode dated 5 February 2013 (2013) - Self
2011
Vivement dimanche (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 8 December 2013 (2013) - Self
- Guillaume Canet 2 (2013) - Self
- Episode dated 27 November 2011 (2011) - Self
2007
Le plus grand cabaret du monde (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #16.3 (2013) - Self
- Episode #9.6 (2007) - Self
2011
Il etait une fois les lyonnais (Documentary) as
Self
2009
La mandrágora (TV Series) as
Shannon
- Episode dated 2 May 2009 (2009) - Shannon (uncredited)
2009
Au Field de la nuit (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 24 March 2009 (2009) - Self
2006
Café Picouly (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 15 February 2008 (2008) - Self
- Episode dated 29 September 2006 (2006) - Self
2008
On n'a pas tout dit (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 22 January 2008 (2008) - Self
2005
On a tout essayé (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 16 October 2006 (2006) - Self
- Episode dated 4 November 2005 (2005) - Self
2005
Le grand journal de Canal+ (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Episode dated 29 November 2005 (2005) - Self
2003
Nikita: Tchéky Karyo on Luc Besson (Video short) as
Self - Actor
2003
Revealed: The Making of 'La Femme Nikita' (Video short documentary) as
Self
2003
The Sound of Nikita (Video short) as
Self - Actor
1999
100 films par 100 personnalités (TV Series) as
Self
- États d'âme (1999) - Self
1997
Le Poing J (TV Series) as
Self (1997)
1997
Studio Gabriel (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 13 June 1997 (1997) - Self
1997
Nulle part ailleurs (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 12 June 1997 (1997) - Self
1995
Joyeux anniversaire Monsieur Trenet (TV Movie) as
Self
1993
Taratata (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.21 (1993) - Self
1992
Coucou c'est nous! (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 30 December 1992 (1992) - Self
1991
Les nuls, l'émission (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.23 (1991) - Self
1990
Au coeur de Nikita (Documentary short)
1988
Lunettes noires pour nuits blanches (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 22 October 1988 (1988) - Self
1986
Champs-Elysées (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 31 May 1986 (1986) - Self
1986
Le journal de 13 heures (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 28 May 1986 (1986) - Self
1986
Effraction (TV Series short) as
Self
- Episode dated 22 April 1986 (1986) - Self
1986
Mardi cinéma (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Episode dated 25 February 1986 (1986) - Self
1985
Mode in France (TV Movie documentary)
1985
Cannes Film Festival (TV Series) as
Self - Audience Member
- Cérémonie de clôture du 38ème festival de Cannes (1985) - Self - Audience Member
1985
Plaisir du théâtre (TV Mini Series documentary) as
Self
- Episode dated 13 May 1985 (1985) - Self
Archive Footage
2020
Comment réalise Alexandre Astier? (Video documentary) as
Self
2019
ForesTiVi (TV Series short) as
Self
- Ouverture de la 41ème cérémonie des César (2019) - Self
2018
Les Chroniques du Mea (TV Series) as
Self
- Les Chroniques Nostalgiques de l'Eté: Dolmen (Episode 2) (2018) - Self
2017
12 Parsecs (Podcast Series) - Le Système Solaire, c'est quoi (Part 1)? (2017)
2000
Open Sesame: The Making of 'Arabian Nights' (TV Movie documentary) as
Black Coda (uncredited)
1998
In and Out of Fashion (Documentary) as
Self