Tcheky Karyo Dies Aged 72

On the verge of the film's 30th anniversary, another tragic loss hits the GOLDENEYE family – Tcheky Karyo, who played Defence Minister Dimitri Mishkin in the 1995 film. A statement from the actor's family to AFP confirmed that Karyo died today (October 31) after battling cancer.

Baruh Djaki Karyo was born in Istanbul on October 4, 1953. He grew up in Paris, where he studied drama at the Cyrano Theatre and joined the Daniel Sorano Company, performing in various classical roles. He made his big screen debut in 1982 with French films such as LE MARGINAL and L'OURS, later appearing in Luc Besson's NIKITA. GOLDENEYE was just one of the many English-language films he appeared in 1995, along with BAD BOYS, and CRYING FREEMAN. He would later feature in the BBC One drama THE MISSING, portraying Julien Baptiste. Karyo was also a musician and songwriter, releasing the highly acclaimed album "Ce Lien Qui Nous Unit" in 2006 and "Credo" in 2013 for his 60th birthday.

In 2023, he played an antagonistic role in LIAISON, alongside Eva Green and Vincent Cassel.

Karyo's contribution to the world of 007 was brief, but memorable. In a film that heavily dealth with the emergence of a new world order following the Soviet Union's collapse, Mishkin symbolized the new, democratic Russia that challenged the once mighty Red Army officers such as General Ourumov. Similar to how Judi Dench's M presence and attitude makes James Bond aware that things have changed in Britain and MI6 is run by analysts and civilians, the Russian Defence Minister echoes a similar sentiment while confronting Ourumov at the Winter Palace, reminding the uneasy general that those he despises are now his superiors.

Karyo's calm and composed demeanor as he puts the general in a difficult position while questioning the Severnaya incidents, along with his "generosity" in asking a captive Bond how he would like to be executed, makes him one of the finest supporting actors in the Bond franchise. He will be greatly missed.

Our condolences to his family.

Source: RTE