Zachari Bankolé (born 12 August 1957), known professionally as Isaach de Bankolé, is an Ivorian actor, active primarily in France and the United States. He won the 1987 César Award for Most Promising Actor for his performance in the film Black Mic Mac, and rose to international prominence for his starring role in Claire Denis's 1988 film Chocolat.
He is known to international film audiences for his roles in the films of director Jim Jarmusch, Mamadou in James Ivory's A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries (1998), Timothy in Lars von Trier's Manderlay (2005), the villain Steven Obanno in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale, and the River Tribe Elder in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Black Panther (2018) and its 2022 sequel, and Gorden in The Brutalist (2024). He also played President Ule Matobo on the Fox television series 24 (2008–2009).
Early life and education De Bankolé was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, to ethnic Yoruba parents from Benin. His grandparents are from Nigeria. He moved to Paris in 1975 for his last year of lycée, and pursued a master's degree in physics and mathematics at the University of Paris. He then attended an aviation school and earned a private pilot licence, before a chance encounter with French director Gérard Vergez led him to enroll in the Cours Simon, a Parisian drama school.
Career De Bankolé has appeared in over fifty films, including Jim Jarmusch's Night on Earth, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, Coffee and Cigarettes and The Limits of Control. He has been based in the United States since 1997. He appeared in the movie Machetero, in the role of a journalist interviewing an imprisoned Puerto Rican revolutionary, along with the members of the New York City-based punk band Ricanstruction.
De Bankolé has also appeared in Lars von Trier's Manderlay. He portrayed Steven Obanno, a terrorist, in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale, and "The Lone Man", an assassin in Jim Jarmusch's film, The Limits of Control (2009). In 2013, he starred as Ayodele Balogun in Andrew Dosunmu's Mother of George, which premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and was the closing night selection for Maryland Film Festival 2013. He has also had roles in Calvary, The Last Witch Hunter, and Black Panther.
Other activities De Bankolé served on the jury of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, chaired by Park Chan-wook.Miranda Murray (12 May 2026), Who is on the 2026 Cannes Film Festival jury headed by Park Chan-wook? Reuters.
Recognition In 2007, De Bankolé was ascended to a Knight of the French Legion of Honour for his contributions to the French film industry.
Personal life De Bankolé is fluent in Yoruba, Bambara, English, French, and German, and speaks some Italian. He was married to musician Cassandra Wilson from 2000 to 2003.
He has resided in the United States since 1997.
Acting credits Film Year Title Role Notes1984 Asphalt Warriors The Blackie Comment draguer tous les mecs Honoré Clair L'addition Uncredited1986 Black Mic Mac Lemi César Award for Most Promising Actor Taxi Boy Touré Noir et Blanc 1987 Lady Cops Inspector Blaise Lacroix 1988 Chocolat Protée Ada dans la jungle Bumbo1989 How to Make Love to a Negro Without Getting Tired The Old Vanille fraise Hippolyte N'Go Also writer 1990 No Fear, No Die Dah 1991 Night on Earth The Driver 1994 Down to Earth Leão 1995 The Keeper Jean Baptiste 1998 A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries Mamadou 1999 Otomo Frederic Otomo Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai Raymond Cherry Menu Man 2000 Bàttu Saar 2001 3 A.M. Angus 2003 Coffee and Cigarettes Isaach The Killing Zone Malcolm New York VisionFest – Outstanding Achievement Award – Acting2004 From Other Worlds Abraham Homework Jean 2005 Manderlay Timothy Stay Professor The Skeleton Key Gas Station Owner Before It Had a Name Waiter 2006 Casino Royale Steven Obanno Miami Vice Neptune 5up 2down Hunter 2007 The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Laurent Battle in Seattle Abasi The Fifth Patient Captain Mugambe 2008 The Guitar Roscoe Wasz Machetero Jean Dumont 2009 White Material The Boxer The Limits of Control The Lone Man 2010 Getting High! Hunter Short film 2011 Oka! Bassoun 2012 Désordres Vincent 2013 Mother of George Ayodele Balogun 2014 Calvary Simon Run Assa Nominated – Trophées du Cinema – Best Supporting Actor Mirage Francis Where the Road Runs Out George 2015 The Last Witch Hunter Max Schlesinger 2016 Norman Jacques 2017 Double Play Ernesto 2018 Black Panther River Tribe Elder Black is Beltza Wilson Clever 2019 Shaft Pierro "Gordito" Carrera 2020 French Exit Julius 2022 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever River Tribe Elder The People We Hate at the Wedding Henrique 2024 The Brutalist Gordon 2025 The Fence Alboury 2026 Farok Post-production
Television Year Title Role Notes 1992 The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles Sgt. Barthelmy Episode: "German East Africa, December 1916" 1993 Heart of Darkness Mfumu Television film 2001 The Sopranos Father Obosi Episode: "Amour Fou" 2005 L'évangile selon Aîmé Aîmé Television film 2006 The Unit General Togar Episode: "Force Majeure" 2008 24: RedemptionPresident Ule Matobo Television film 2009 24 6 episodes 2010 I Am Slave BahTelevision film 2013 The Ordained Mr. Obiku 2014 White Collar Luc Renaud 2 episodes 2015 The Good Wife Larry Oliver Episode: "Restraint"2018 Instinct Ben Richfield Episode: "Bye Bye Birdie" Sacred Lies Dr. Carter Elgin Episode: "Chapter Eight: Wedding Day" 2019 S.W.A.T. Aden Syed Episode: "Monster" 2021–2023 Godfather of Harlem Monsieur 98 9 episodes 2023 The Boss Baby: Back in the Crib Sebastian Amadou Voice; 4 episodes 2024 Parish Mr. Tongai Episode: "A Good Man" 2025 Task Father Daniel Georges 3 episodes
Theatre Year Title Author Director Notes 1986 West PierBernard-Marie KoltèsPatrice ChéreauThéâtre Nanterre-Amandiers 1987 In the Solitude of Cotton Fields 1988 Le Retour au désertThéâtre Renaud-Barrault 1989 Strength to Love Martin Luther King Jr.
Awards 1987 César Award for Most Promising Actor for his role in Black Mic Mac.
References
External links