Baruh Djaki Karyo (October 4, 1953), better known as Tchéky Karyo, is a French actor.
Born in İstanbul, Turkey, from a Turkish Sephardic Jewish father and a Greek mother, he grew up in Paris. He studied drama at the Théâtre Cyrano and became a member of the Daniel Sorano Company, where he played numerous roles of the French classical repertoire. He then joined the National Theatre of Strasbourg, where he played contemporary theatre as well as classical works, including Shakespeare plays.
A reliable character actor, he's been around in French cinema and beyond since the early 1980s, mainly in supporting or villainous roles. He was also nominated for a César Award for his starring role in La balance in 1982.
Selected filmography:
- The Return of Martin Guerre (1982) as Augustin
- The Bear (1988) as Tom
- Nikita (1990) as Bob
- 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992) as Martín Alonso Pinzón
- La Cité de la peur (1994) as Monsieur Jacques (the first projectionnist)
- Operation: Dumbo Drop (1995) as Goddard
- Crying Freeman (1995) as Detective Netah
- Bad Boys (1995) as Fouchet
- GoldenEye (1995) as Russian Minister of Defense Dmitri Mishkin
- Dobermann (1997) as Inspecteur Sauveur Cristini
- Addicted to Love (1997) as Anton
- Wing Commander (1999) as James "Paladin" Taggart
- The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999) as Jean de Dunois
- Saving Grace (2000) as Jacques Chevalier
- The Patriot (2000) as Jean Villeneuve
- Kiss of the Dragon (2001) as Inspecteur Jean-Pierre Richard
- The Good Thief (2002) as Roger
- The Core (2003) as Dr. Serge Leveque
- A Very Long Engagement (2004) as Capitaine Favourier
- The Accursed Kings (2005) as King Philippe Le Bel
- Kaamelott (2009) as Manius Macrinus Firmus
- The Way (2010) as Capitaine Henri Sebastian
- The Missing (2014) (2014-2017) as Détective Julien Baptiste
- The Name of the Rose (2019) as Pope John XXII
