The Best Turkish Actors

Haluk Bilginer is a Turkish actor. In addition to his acting career in Turkey, he has also worked in the United Kingdom and remains known for his role as Mehmet Osman in the television soap opera EastEnders (1985) during the 1980s. He has also starred in Hollywood movies as a minor actor. He played a villainous guerrilla leader in the 1987 comedy film Ishtar (1987) (one of the most notorious flops in movie history) and a Turkish Mafioso in the 2001 dark comedy film Buffalo Soldiers (2001). He played the character of Emre Celenk in the episode of Persephone in MI-5 (2002) 2004.

Bilginer was born in Izmir, Turkey. He graduated from Ankara State Conservatory in 1977 before going to England where he graduated from London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He landed his first role at EastEnders (1985). Bilginer makes his first appearance in EastEnders (1985) as Mehmet Osman on-screen in June 1985, four months after the show originally aired. His arrival coincides with a cot death story line of Sue and Ali's baby, Hassan. Mehmet appears as a recurring character from 1985-1987, setting up a cab firm named Ozcabs from inside Ali's cafe; however, he becomes a regular in 1988, when both he and his wife Guizin (Ishia Bennison) are made partners in Ali's cafe, which is renamed Café Osman. Mehmet is portrayed as a charmer, a rogue and a womanizer. Author of The EastEnders (1985) Handbook, Hilary Kingsley, has said of him, "he tries it on with every woman he meets and sometimes succeeds through a combination of good looks and sheer audacity." A serial gambler, Mehmet was shown to steer Ali into various money-losing ploys, and had a combustible marriage to Guizin, who put up with his philandering, as in the Turkish community, that's "what a wife was expected to do".

Described as "the Terrible Turk", Haluk Bilginer was one of the more popular male cast members on EastEnders (1985) during the 1980s, and he reportedly received sackfuls of fan mail, "despite playing a villain and a womanizing snake". Hilary Kingsley has said that what made the character so popular was Bilginer's Omar Sharif-style good looks and charm. Following the departure of Holland and Smith, Mehmet was eventually written out of the serial in May 1989, in a story line that signified the disbandment of the Osman family. On-screen, Mehmet returns to his native Cyprus after a fight with Guizin regarding her suspicions about Mehmet's fabricated affair with Sue. The Osman family were among many characters to leave the serial that year. Writer Colin Brake has commented, "the pace of comings and going was fast and furious during 1989, as the program me tried to find a new direction." Bilginer went into musical theatre after leaving EastEnders (1985). During the course of the show, he came to Turkey to star in the 1987 TV series Gecenin Öteki Yüzü (1987) (The Other Side of the Night), where he met his eventual first wife Zuhal Olcay, famous Turkish actress and singer. After dividing his time in London and Istanbul for six years, he left the show to stay in Turkey permanently and married Zuhal Olcay in 1992. He guest starred in an episode of Les aventures du jeune Indiana Jones (1992) as Ismet Inönü, and went on to star in the Yavuz Özkan film "Iki Kadin (1992)" (Two Women). He then starred in various movies including the controversial Istanbul Kanatlarimin Altinda (1996) (Istanbul Under My Wings) and the famous La sirène et le funambule (1997) (Master, Kill Me). After critical acclaim for these roles, he earned his first award as a supporting actor in Innocence (1997) (Innocence). After deciding he wants to pursue career on stage, he founded "Tiyatro Stüdyosu" (Theatre Studio) with his ex-wife Zuhal Olcay and Ahmet Levendoglu in 1990. After starring in various plays for six years, he had to return to screen in 1996 because of a fire that has destroyed the theater. He and his wife starred in television and movies to raise money to found another theater.

During this era, he starred in Eyvah Kizim Büyüdü (2000) (Oh My, My Daughter Has Grown), starting his second era in television. After years of work, he and his wife managed to start a second theater, called "Oyun Atölyesi" (Play Workshop). His most famous role however came after he started his second theater. He landed a role in Tatli Hayat (2001), a remake of The Jeffersons (1975). He played the role of Ihsan Yildirim, an angry and foul-mouthed, yet lovable dry cleaner. He was accompanied by legendary actress Türkan Soray, who played his wife, Asuman Dabak playing the witty cleaner, Neco playing the Greek neighbor (The enmity between Greeks and Turks were put instead of the Black-White one in the original) and Çolpan Ilhan playing Neco's wife. He and the show's breakthrough character Irfan (played by Celal Kadri Kinoglu) are regarded as the best characters in Turkish TV history. He divorced Zuhal Olcay in 2004 and began a relationship with Askin Nur Yengi, a famous Turkish singer. They married in 2006 and had a girl. After Tatli Hayat (2001), he starred in Neredesin Firuze (2004) (Where Are You Firuze?), Hirsiz Var! (2005) (Thief!) and Qui a assassiné les ombres? (2006) (Why Were Hacivat&Karagöz Murdered?). His most recent role in Polis (2007) (Police) however, is his most critically acclaimed role after Tatli Hayat (2001). His portrayal of the troubled police legend Musa Rami has gained critical acclaim from both critics and viewers, who thought the movie was too experimental. Bilginer, however, has said that he will work in all of Onur Ünlü's (screenwriter and director of Polis (2007)) movies, even as an extra if required. Bilginer played the role of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in an Is Bank commercial, which first aired on 10 November 2007 during the 69th commemorations of Atatürk's death. In 2009 , He play in famous Turkish series Ezel (2009) during the second season. He became famous with this role around many countries . Bilginer co-starred in the 2009 American thriller L'enquête - The international (2009) as Ahmet Sunay, a Turkish high-tech missile guidance system dealer. He was accompanied by Clive Owen and Naomi Watts in this movie. Bilginer plays Aydin, an imposing Grey-haired former actor, in Winter Sleep (2014), which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014.

Early in his career, he mainly acted in comedy movies with Kemal Sunal such as "Hababam Sinifi", "Tosun Pasa", "Davaro" etc. Later, he had roles in movies criticizing Turkish society for its moral weaknesses as in "Milyarder", " Çiplak Vatandas" and the ones that reflected the contemporary social developments and problems as in "Zügürt Aga". He played in "Gönül Yarasi-Lovelorn" that was nominated to be the candidate for Academy Awards in 2005. He had many national and international awards and honored as a state artist by Turkish Republic in 1998.

Born in 1944 Istanbul, Turkey. Graduated from Vefa High School, Fatih, Istanbul. Sunal acted in many popular films, although he began his artistic career in the theater. His first play was called, "Unwilling Doctor" and he later worked at the Devekusu Kabare Theatre with Ulvi Uraz. Although Sunal had minor roles at first, after 1973 he was highly acclaimed for his roles in movies with large casts. He won the Antalya Film Festival's Golden Orange Award in 1977. He contributed greatly to Turkish cinema with his successful acting, including his roles in such movies as "Hababam Sinifi" (Outrageous Class), "Kapicilar Krali" (King of Janitors), "Salako" (Moron), "Inek Saban" (Shaban the Cow) and "Davaro". Sunal's latest role was in Sinan Cetin's border comedy "Propaganda"(1999). He also made a TV commercial.

Kemal Sunal died suddenly of a heart attack on July 3 at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport. he had just boarded the plane for Trabzon, where he was to take part in the filming of director Ali Ozgenturk's "Balalaika" (2000).

His death caused a wave of sorrow across Turkey. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Minister of Culture Istemihan Talay and other politicians sent messages of condolence expressing their sorrow.

Erol Tas was born on 28 February 1928 in Karaköse, Erzurum, Turkey. He was an actor, known for Yilmayan Seytan (1972), Diyet (1974) and Ince Cumali (1967). He died on 8 November 1998 in Istanbul, Turkey.

He was born and grew up in Istanbul. He started his career at Bakirkoy Community Center Theatre. Later he worked at Ankara State Theatre, Istanbul State Theatre and Istanbul City Theatre. He also worked in small play houses with today's famous actors and actresses. He made his place in the theatre stronger with the play Fareler ve Insanlar (Of Mice and Men). Although he was a known stage actor he became famous nationwide with his movies, after 1950's.

In 1970's, he took part in many Ertem Egilmez movies which contained other famous names of the time. In those movies he mostly played with actress Adile Nasit as a duo and they became a memorable couple in the minds of the audience. His most known role is Kel Mahmut (Mahmut the Bald), who is the idealist principal of a high school with troubled students in Hababam Sinifi; movie series. Kel Mahmut (a.k.a. Mahmut Hoca) tries to help those students and guide them to a better life.

Ozkul, secluded himself from public when the TV started to become popular. Yet, he appeared in some TV shows as a guest star or in small parts.

Turkish Ministry of Culture awarded him with the title State Artist, in 1998.

In his youth he had some problems with his drinking habit. After that he spent the most of his life fighting against alcohol and by the 1990s he quit drinking, completely.

Ozkul's been married for 4 times and he has 3 children from those marriages. His first wife was Sadan, the second one was a famous actress Suna Selen, the third one was Yasar and the fourth and current one is Umman Ozkul with whom he's been married for 27 years now. One of his children, Guner Ozkul, is an actress and a TV presenter.

He's been suffering from Dementia since the early 2000s and, as a result of this disease, he almost never leaves home.

He's been battling with dementia and COPD for almost two decades and on January 5th, 2018 he lost that battle. He died at his home in Istanbul, where he lived the rest of his days with his family, at the age of 93.

Tuncel Kurtiz was born in 1936, Izmit-Turkey. He graduated from Istanbul University, English Language and Literature and started acting in 1956 with Dormen Theatre. With the movie 'Suru', he reached the peak of his acting career. Kurtiz received many awards in Turkey and also abroad. He also known as director, producer and scenarist.

Altan Erkekli is a Turkish actor. He is known for his roles in numerous stage productions, films, and television series.

Erkekli began his acting career in the early 1980s. He has since appeared in a wide range of roles, from comedic to dramatic. He is perhaps best known for his roles in the films Polizei (1988), Yengeç Sezonu (1999), and Vizontele (2001). He has also won several awards for his acting, including the Sadri Alisik Award for Best Actor in 1999 and the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival Best Actor Award in 2001.

Erkekli is a versatile and talented actor who has made a significant contribution to Turkish cinema and television. He is one of the most respected actors in Turkey, and his work has been praised by critics and audiences alike.

Çetin Tekindor is considered to be one of Turkey's best actors and most respected artists today. He was born in Sivas, Turkey in 1945. He graduated from Ankara State Conservatory in 1970, and his stage career started with the play "Murat IV". He is one of the most impressive performers in Turkish film and television thanks to his charismatic acting and his distinctive voice. In the successful TV drama "Karadayi" (2012-2015) he captured the hearts of the viewers with his inimitable readings of famous poems. During his long career he gave classes about stage and diction at the State Conservatory of Haceteppe University and the Theater Department of Bilkent University. Younger actors often refer to him as "Cetin hoca" (teacher).

Tekindor became famous after he starred in the TV drama "Küçük Aga", directed by Yücel Çakmak in 1983. In 1978 he was awarded "best actor" for his work in the play "Genç Werther'in Acilari" by the Ankara Art Association. His first film work was "Kaçamak" (The Love Affair) (1987), in which he acted with Basar Sabuncu and Müjde Ar. Over the years took roles and starred in many TV dramas such as "Dönemeç" (The Turn) (1988), "Önce Canan" (1988), "Son Türbedar" (1996), "Kerem" (1999), "Yilan Hikayesi" (1999), "Tutku Çemberi" (2000), "Üzgünüm Leyla" (2002), "Çaylak" (2003), "Bir Istanbul Masali" (An Istanbul Tale) (2003), "Seytan Ayrintida Gizlidir" (Satan Is Hidden In Details) (2004), "Ödünç Hayat" (Borrowed Life) (2005), "Kabuslar Evi-Hayal-i Cihan" (House Of Nightmares: The dream of Cihan) (2006), "Asi" (2007), "Bir Çocuk Sevdim" (I Loved a Girl) (2011), "Karadayi" (2012), "Içerde" (Inside) (2016) and in films like "Yavrularim" (My Babies) (1984), "Kaçamak" (The Love Affair) (1987), "Karsilasma" (Encounter) (2002), "Babam ve Oglum" (My Father and My Son) (2005), "Ilk Ask" (First Love) (2006), "Ulak" (The Messenger) (2007), "Av Mevsimi" (Hunting Season) (2010), "Dedemin Insanlari" (My Grandfather's People) (2011), "Babam" (My Father) (2017). In 1987 Tekindor received an award for "best actor" from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ankara Art Association. He was also awarded "best actor" by the Ankara Art Association in 1999. He stopped giving any kind of interviews in the 80's because he found himself in an awkward situation after a journalist wrote things he had never said, and he hasn't given any interview ever since. During the 90's he almost stayed away from any acting in film and television. He stayed in Ankara and kept on his stage work, teaching and voice overs. As well as a stage, TV and film actor, he is also very famous for his iconic voice and his voice dubbing work, which by that time was more than his work in front of the camera. This changed when a journalist wrote in an article: "What ever film or TV series we watch there is always the voice of Cetin Tekindor. I think he earned him self enough money to go on vacation and leave us alone for a bit". Tekindor considers this as the greatest gift that was ever given to him, because it made him realize that it was about time for a turn in his career. This game changing turn brought several awards and some of the greatest performances in Turkish film and television. In 2003, for his work as Mahmut in the film "Karsilasma"(Encounter) he received the "best actor" award in the Ankara Film Festival and the "best supporting actor" in the Sadri Alisik Awards. In 2005, Tekindor starred in Çagan Irmak's film "Babam ve Oglum" (My Father and My Son) and received the "best actor" award in both the 13th ÇASOD Awards and the 27th SIYAD Turkish Film Awards. His monologue in the middle of the street near the end of the movie, which was shot in only one take, is considered to be one of the most powerful, heartbreaking and unforgettable scenes/performances in Turkish film history. In 2008 working again with director Çagan Irmak in the film "Ulak" (The Messenger) brought him the "best male film actor" award in the 2008 Ismail Dümbüllü Awards. In 2009, he was awarded "best actor" by TÜRSAK. Despite his successful career and recognition he always keeps a low profile with no celebrity behavior. He stays away from the spot lights and avoids any self promoting action, focusing only on his work.

Born in Istanbul in 1972, Nejat Isler graduated from Mimar Sinan State Conservatory's Theater Deparment in 1995. He made his first professional TV debut in 1994 in the TV series "Gurur". He continued his professional acting career and took leading roles in a number of TV series and movies. In 2008 at the SIYAD Turkish Cinema Awards, Isler received Best Leading Actor for his performance in 'Yumurta'. He was awarded the Best Actor in the Germany-Turkey Film Festival.

He was born in 1965, Kuskan was graduated from Istanbul University State Conservatory. Right after his graduation, he starred in various Film and TV projects. Along with tie International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival and Istanbul/ Ankara Film Festivals. He was awarded for his Outstanding performances on stage and in movies as well.

He spent his childhood in Ankara until he moved to Istanbul along with his family. His family is of Kurdish origin. In 1987, he dropped out of his civil engineering studies at Istanbul Technical University and joined the On Duty Theater Staff (Turkish: Nöbetçi Tiyatrosu) managed by Ferhan Sensoy. He also became chief screenwriter at Levent Kirca's long-running television sketch show, Olacak O Kadar. In 1988, he founded his own theatre company, Güldüsündürü, and staged a successful production of his self-penned Suleiman the Magnificent and Rambo (Turkish: Kanuni Sultan Süleyman and Rambo).

While studying at the Department of Tourism and Hotel Management of Bogazici University, he started drawing comics for the Turkish humor magazine Leman. In August 1995 he did his first stand-up comedy show in "Leman Culture Center" performing with no serious career intentions as a comedian. However, after the positive response of the audience, he continued his show to attract larger crowds in Besiktas Cultural Center where he has appeared in over a thousand stand-up comedy shows since, becoming so popular that tickets have sold for 250TL (approx. US$140).

His movie career started in 1998 with a co-starring role in the comedy Her Sey Çok Güzel Olacak (1998), directed by Ömer Vargi, and continued with a role in Vizontele (2001), directed by Yilmaz Erdogan and Ömer Faruk Sorak. He achieved his greatest success by starring in and writing big-budget science-fiction parody G.O.R.A. (2004), also directed by Ömer Faruk Sorak, which despite spending several years in production because of financial and other technical problems became a box-office hit and described by Rekin Teksoy as a strong sign that showed that popular cinema was successful in appealing to wide audiences. He maintained this success with a starring role in the comedy feature movie Les affaires organisées (2005) AKA 'Magic Carpet Ride', also directed by Yilmaz Erdogan, for which he won Best Supporting Actor at the 11th Sadri Alisik Awards, and his directorial debut with Le saltimbanque (2006), co-directed by Ali Taner Baltaci, for which he won Best Actor at the 34th Brussels International Independent Film Festival and 12th Sadri Alisik Awards. He has since repeated his box office success with a sequel to G.O.R.A. (2004) called A.R.O.G (2008), also co-directed by Ali Taner Baltaci, and comedy Western parody called Yahsi Bati (2009), directed by Ömer Faruk Sorak. That same year, he co-starred, alongside veteran actor Sener Sen, in the police drama Av Mevsimi (2010), written and directed by Yavuz Turgul, and made a special appearance in drama Zefir (2010), written and directed by Belma Bas. After two years he also acted in Ferzan Özpetek's Magnifica Presenza (2012). After he filmed his last stand-up comedy show CM101MMXI Fundamentals (2013) directed by Murat Dündar, he announced that for the next few years he will stop his stand-up comedy shows to have a rest.

Along his professional career, he has won numerous awards and appeared in more than 4000 stand-up comedy shows, took part in 10 movies and contributed as a dubbing performer in 4 movies.

Raif Özkan Ugur (born October 17, 1953 in Istanbul) is a Turkish pop musician, member of the renowned band Mazhar-Fuat-Özkan and an actor.

He was born as the 5th child of his family. He graduated Resat Nuri Güntekin Primary School where he met and started playing mandolin. Afterwards, while he was studying in Fenerbahçe High School, he formed a band called Atomikler and covered popular songs of the time.

He started his career as a musician in the Serif Yüzbasioglu Orchestra as a bass guitarist. In 1971, Özkan joined Mazhar Alanson and Fuat Güner in the duo "Kaygisizlar" ("The Unworrieds") The band was dissolved in 1972. Between 1972 and 1975, Özkan played Anatolian rock music with Baris Manço in his band Kurtalan Ekspres, in "TER" of Erkin Koray, "Dostlar" of Edip Akbayram, "Kardaslar" of Seyhan Karabay and "Dadaslar" of Ersen. In 1976, he left Anatolian rock music genre and joined the quintet "Ipucu" led by the MFÖ trio. Özkan formed in 1978 the band "Grup Karma" with Galip Boransu and Cengiz Teoman. He is now playing in the group MFÖ (the three letters stand for the names of the three members: Mazhar Alanson, Fuat Güner, Özkan Ugur). While playing the bass guitar in MFÖ, he performs incredibly difficult vocals with his tenor timbre. He released "Aynada" ("In The Mirror" in Turkish) single from DMC in 2016.

He was also a judge in O Ses Türkiye (2011) (Turkish version of The Voice).

In first of his professional years, he tried to make a bass guitar. The bass guitar he is using is a Fender Jazz Bass which was given by Baris Manço. Also he had a fretless guitar which he makes the maintenance and repair himself every month. One of his interview he talk about value of his bass guitar : " I spent my life with it. I will never sell it even they give me billions of dollars."

Starting his education at Bursa State Theater in 1975, Algöz graduated from Ankara State Conservatory in Theater Department in 1985. He started his acting career on stage, and for a long time he was an official member of the State Theater Association of Istanbul. His acting career in theater led him into many TV series and cinema movies.

Firat is of Turkish, Circassian and Arab descent. His father is singer Nihat Firat. After finishing high school, he studied radio and television broadcasting in Sweden. He then returned to Ankara and took acting classes in Ankara University. Firat graduated from the theatre department of Ankara University and took his master's degree in Film and Drama from Kadir Has University. He founded the "Moda Theatre" and "Das Das" in Istanbul, and "Sanat Mahal" in Bursa. He has appeared in more than fifteen films since 2005 and has won many awards. In October 2017 the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Turkey chose Firat as a Goodwill Ambassador in Turkey.

Güven Kiraç was born on 16 March 1968 in Istanbul, Turkey. He is an actor and producer, known for Head-On (2004), Kavsak (2010) and Gönül yarasi, blessures du coeur (2005).

Kivanc Tatlitug was born on October 27, 1983 in Adana, Turkey.

Graduated from Istanbul Kultur University Communication Designs-Multimedia and Cinema. His mother is from Edirne, Turkey. His paternal grandmother is Bosnian immigrant from Sarajevo. His paternal grandfather is Albanian immigrant from Pristina. His professional career started with modeling in 2002. After modeling career, his acting career began with the TV Series "Gumus" (2005) by the leading role "Mehmet". "Gumus" is known as first Turkish TV series which was sold to Middle East. He had guest role in fantasy series Acemi Cadi (2006) of Turkish adaptation "Sabrina The Teenage Witch" with Merve Bolugur for second time.

Afterwards Kivanc Tatlitug has gained large fan base abroad predominantly in Middle East, Balkans, North Africa and Turkic Republics. He was invited by many Film Festivals like Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Muscat, Doha Tribeca (as a Guest of Honor) and won many honorary awards.

Right after "Gumus" he continued his acting career in leading roles as Halil in the series "Menekse ile Halil", as Muzaffer in the movie "Amerikalilar Karadeniz'de", as Behlül in the TV series "Ask-i Memnu", as a guest star Sekiz in the TV series "Ezel", as Kuzey in the TV series "Kuzey Guney", as Muzaffer Tayyip Uslu in the movie "Kelebegin Ruyasi", as Kurt Seyit in the TV series "Kurt Seyit ve Shura" , Cesur in the TV series "Cesur ve Guzel", Ali in the movie "Hadi Be Oglum" and as Saruhan in the movie "Organize Isler Sazan Sarmali" and as Kadir Adali in the Tv series called " Carpisma ".

Throughout his acting career he won numerous "Best Actor" awards such as 36th Golden Butterfly TV Awards (2009), 17th Sadri Alisik Theatre and Cinema Awards (2012), 39th Butterfly TV Awards (2012), 18th Golden Lens Award (2012), Siyad-Turkish Film Critics Association Best Actor Award (2014),

"Creators of Their Own Miracles Award" in 44.Golden Butterfly Awards (2017) and "The Male Brand Award" presented by Marketing Turkey in 2018.

Recently, Kivanc Tatlitug was awarded as "Best Actor in Comedy " in 19th Sadri Alisik Theater and Cinema Awards (2019).

Furthermore, Kivanc Tatlitug also won "Best Actor" awards from many Universities, Educational and Public Institutions internationally.

Off-screen, Kivanc Tatlitug is the youngest Unicef Goodwill Ambassador ever in the world and continues working for children.

He shared the Adana Golden Boll International Film Festival's Best Actor Award in 2012 together with Engin Günaydin.

Salman was born in Arguvan, Malatya. His family originate from the Asar neighborhood in Arguvan. He was accepted as a Kurd because of the Kurdish typologies he had played for many years. In 2007, in an article written by himself and later in a book he revealed that he was an Alevi Turkmen.

He is a supporter of the left-wing. He participated at Communist Party of Turkey's rally in Kartal on 1 May 2006. He is one of the contributors to Turkish Left magazine.

"Karanfil Kokuyor Cigaram" As of 1 October 2009, he wanted to start performing a show called "Karanfil Kokuyor Cigaram" where he would read the poems from the book "Hasretinden Prangalar Eskittim" by Ahmed Arif in Bakirköy Art Center. The visual director of the show would be his son Temmuz Salman. His daughter Devrim Salman would be the soloist on the show. However, due to some temporary health problems of Ilyas Salman, the program was postponed for a while.

Tarik Akan's real name is Tarik Üregül and he was born in Istanbul in 1949 and grew up in the other parts of Turkey because of his father's job. His father was a colonel. Before he started his acting career he worked as a lifeguard on the beaches, rented boats to people... He also went on going to the university (Yildiz Teknik) at nights studying mechanical engineering.

He entered a contest of a famous magazine called "Voice(Ses)" back then to earn some money and he won the contest as a first runner up... He acted in his first film in 1970, at the age of 21... He left the university and joined the journalism faculty. He learnt film grammar from the famous Turkish film director 'Ertem Eilmez'. In 1974 the famous Turkish theatre director and writer 'Vasif Öngören' was his teacher. Back in the 70s, he took the young handsome lad roles in romantic comedies. Then going parallel with his age; he took roles in political strong dramas and he made it today. He has acted in 110 films and he took place in many unforgettable movies in the Turkish film history, won lots of awards from various festivals including Cannes, Berlin.

He directed several productions such as documentaries and serials for TV. He's been considered as the most handsome actor in Turkey also one of the best... He's been an educator for 11 years now and he wrote his first book "Anne Kafamda Bit Var" (biographical) in 2002. He's still going on with his acting career and keep enchanting his fans.

Fahrettin Cüreklibatir, better known by his stage name Cüneyt Arkin, is a Turkish film actor, director, and producer. Having starred in somewhere around 250 movies and also TV series, he is widely considered as one of the most prominent Turkish actors of all time. His films shown abroad credited him as George Arkin. Arkin's films have ranged from well-received dramas to mockbusters throughout his career spanning four decades.

Early in his career, Arkin became known for starring in historical dramas taking place during the first centuries of the Ottoman Empire and Anatolian Seljuks, such as Malkoçoglu Cem Sultan and Battal Gazi. While gaining success with such action-based films, he also took part in political films in the late 1970s, the most famous of those being The Adam Trilogy directed by Remzi Aydin Jöntürk. Arkin and Jöntürk continued their collaboration on many other films.

In the 1980s, Arkin became known abroad for the film Dünyayi Kurtaran Adam (The Man Who Saves The World, also known as Turkish Star Wars), an extremely low-budget science fiction tentatively famous for featuring bootlegged scenes from Star Wars. Today the B movie has a cult following.

Fahrettin Cüreklibatur was born in the village of Gökçeoglu in the Alpu district of Eskisehir Province, Turkey to a family of Crimean Tatar and Nogai origin.

After graduation from the university as a physician, Cüreklibatir married his classmate Güler Mocan in 1965. In 1966, their daughter Filiz was born. The marriage did not last long due to Cüreklibatir's newly flourishing career as a film actor.

In 1968, he took the stage name Cüneyt Arkin, and met Betül Isil, the daughter of a wealthy family that owned a tile manufacturing company. Isil, a graduate of a university in Switzerland was working as a flight attendant at the time. They were engaged in 1969, married in 1970, and divorced in 1971. Soon afterwards, they remarried and Betül gave birth to two sons, Murat and Kaan Polat. Arkin's wife and sons have starred in several of his films.

Born in 1942, Metin Akpinar started acting at the age of 20 with an amateur dramatics society. He landed his first professional stage role two years later, in 1964, and this was followed by performances in several leading theatre productions. In 1967, he co-founded the Devekusu Theatre, Turkey's first cabaret theatre. His film career took off in 1972, when he acted in the first of several Ertem Egilmez comedies to follow. Soon after, he developed an enduring screen partnership with the actor and director, Zeki Alasya, the two gaining popularity as a pair of comic dimwits. It was only in the 1990s that Akpinar, by now an experienced actor, broke away and decided to go his own way in film, theatre and television alike.

Müsfik Kenter was born on 8 September 1932 in Istanbul, Turkey. He was an actor, known for Hayallerim, Askim ve Sen (1987), Seni Kalbime Gömdüm (1982) and Bozuk Düzen (1966). He was married to Gülsün Kamu and Kadriye Kenter. He died on 15 August 2012 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Sadri Alisik, born Mehmet Sadrettin Alisik, was a stage and movie actor. Also, he was one of the best comedians in Turkey. He was the husband of Çolpan Ilhan.

He was a prolific actor. His movies that depicted poor, uneducated people of the society, who were happy and believed in love, the most were very popular in the 1960s and 1970s. His classical fun movies titled "Turist Ömer" were also great hits. He also had a leading role in the popular Turkish television series, "Kartallar Yüksek Uçar".

Alisik was also very interested in poetry and published his poems in a book called "Bir Ömürlük Istanbul" or Istanbul of a Lifetime.

He died on 18 March 1995. Alisik was laid to rest at the Zincirlikuyu Cemetery in Istanbul.

A cultural center was established in Istanbul by his wife, Çolpan Ilhan, after his death, under the name Sadri Alisik Kültür Merkezi (Sadri Alisik Culture Center).

Ugur Yücel is a Turkish film actor, producer and director. He graduated from the Theater Department of the Istanbul Municipality Conservatory (Istanbul Belediye Konservatuari Tiyatro Bölüm). He took part in several plays between 1975 and 1984 in Kenter Tiyatrosu (Kenter Theatre), Tef Kabare Theatre, Dormen Theatre, and San Müzikholü. He was noticed for his roles in Selamsiz Bandosu (1987) and Muhsin Bey (1987), then gained mainstream success when he took part in Eskiya (1996).

Zeki Alasya (18 April 1943 - 8 May 2015) was a Turkish actor and film director. Alasya was of Turkish Cypriot descent and was related to Kibrisli Mehmed Kamil Pasha.

Alasya was born in Istanbul. After studying at Robert College, he joined MTTB Theatre as an amateur actor. For a short time, he worked at Arena, Gen-Ar and Ulvi Uraz Theatre. With some friends, he founded the Devekusu Kabare Theatre (Ostrich Cabaret Theatre).

From 1973, he started acting in films and gained fame as a comedian paired with Metin Akpinar like Salak Milyoner, Bes Milyoncuk Borç Verir misin, Köyden Indim Sehire, Güler misin Aglar misin, Nerden Çikti Bu Velet, Nereye Bakiyor Bu Adamlar, Hasip ile Nasip and Güle Güle. In 1977, he also took up directing and went on to direct films such as Aslan Bacanak, Sivri Akillilar, Caferin Çilesi, Petrol Krallari, Doktor, Köse Kapmaca, Vay Basimiza Gelenler and Elveda Dostum.

Alasya died on 8 May 2015 in the hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for liver disease. He was 72. He was laid to rest in Zincirlikuyu Cemetery following the religious funeral service held at Levent Mosque.