He has participated in many Hollywood movies, often portraying a French character, in the same fashion as Jean Reno. His movie credits include 1994's "Nostradamus" in which he plays the famous French prophet, and 1995's "Bad Boys" opposite Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in which he plays a criminal named Fouchet. He also appeared alongside Jet Li in "Kiss of the Dragon" (2001) as a corrupt and violent Paris police detective. He has acted in prominent roles in major films set during wartime. Such 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 "". In the DVD edition of "The Patriot", Karyo overdubbed his own lines on the French-language track. He appeared in Martin Sheen's film "The Way" (2010) as Captain Henri.