Tchéky Karyo, a rugged and easily recognisable figure in French cinema, who starred in 'The Bear', 'Nikita' and 'Dobermann', has died aged 72.

"Valérie Keruzoré, his wife, and their children are saddened to announce the death of Tchéky Karyo from cancer on Friday 31 October", his family wrote in a statement sent to French news agency AFP.

Born in Istanbul in 1953 to a Greek father and Turkish mother, the actor grew up in Paris and made his film debut in 1982 in Chantal Akerman's 'All Night Long' (Toute une nuit).

[FILE: Actors Tchéky Karyo, Nick Nolte and director Neil Jordan at world premiere of 'The Good Thief' at Toronto Film Festival 6 Sep. 2002 ] FILE: Actors Tchéky Karyo, Nick Nolte and director Neil Jordan at world premiere of 'The Good Thief' at Toronto Film Festiv

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