Magnificent actors from Turkey! (alive)
Turkish actors: Must watch!
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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 The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (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 Sawdust Tales (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 Hacivat Karagöz Neden Öldürüldü? (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 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.- Actor
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Erkan Can began acting in 1974 at the age of 16 with the local Bursa State Theater and took acting classes at the Industrial Vocational High School. From 1982 to 1984 he undertook his compulsory military service. In 1985 he entered the theatre department of the Istanbul State Conservatory and made his first screen appearance, alongside Kemal Sunal, in Davaci (1986) directed by Zeki Ökten before graduating in 1990.
From 1991 to 1992 he performed with the Bakirkoy Municipal Theatre. He had his first major roles in the television series Mahallenin Muhtarlari (1992) and Yalanci (1993) for TRT. He had a minor appearance in Sokaktaki Adam (1995), directed by Biket Ilhan, and a featured role in the short Bana Old and Wise'i Çal (1998), directed by Çagan Irmak before achieving success with On Board (1998), directed by Serdar Akar, for which he won best actor awards at film festivals in Antalya and Ankara as well as the Orhan Anzac Award.
A series of film a television roles followed, including appearances in Vizontele (2001), directed by Yilmaz Erdohan and Ömer Faruk Sorak, and Istanbul Tales (2005), directed by Ümit Ünal et al. Appearances in Destiny (2006), directed by Zeki Demirkubuz, and The Edge of Heaven (2006), directed by Fatih Akin were followed by, what Rekin Teksoy describes as, a "convincing performance" in Takva: A Man's Fear of God (2007), directed by Özer Kiziltan, for which he won best actor awards at film festivals in Antalya and Nuremberg as well as the Asia Pacific Screen Award.- Actor
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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).- Actor
- Producer
- Script and Continuity Department
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.- Actor
- Soundtrack
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.- Actor
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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 Magic Carpet Ride (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 The Magician (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 Hunting Season (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 A Magnificent Haunting (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.- Actor
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Safak Sezer (born 10 October 1970 in Erzincan) is a Turkish actor who usually appears in comedic roles.
His stage debut came in Haldun Taner's play Esegin Gölgesi at Ankara Halk Tiyatrosu (Ankara People's Theatre). He acted in several other plays at the same venue as well as at Ankara Ekin Tiyatrosu (Ankara Crop Theatre).
In cinema, he initially appeared in supporting roles in several movies. His breakthrough came with Kolpaçino (2009) in which he starred.
Sezer rose once again to public's attention in 2013 when he publicly knelt in front of Turkey's Prime Minister and apologized for his earlier participation in protest demonstrations. Turkish newspapers reported, with accompanying photographs, on July 22nd, 2013 that at a Ramadan dinner hosted by the ruling AKP party on the previous evening, Sezer went to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's table and went down on his knees in front of Erdogan and apologized for his participation in a street demonstration protesting a police crackdown ordered by the government on environmentalists in Istanbul in the previous weeks.- Erdal Besikcioglu was born on January 5, 1970 in Ankara. He is the nephew of Genclerbirligi Sports Club President Ilhan Cavcav. His father was a manager at Vakiflar Bankasi. Due to his father's appointments, he started primary school in Ankara, then continued in Kayseri and Izmir. He completed high school at Izmir Private Turkish College and continued at Izmir Narlidere Mehmet Seyfi Eraltay High School. He finished high school in Ankara.
He entered Hacettepe University State Conservatory in 1989. During his conservatory education, he participated in workshops on creative drama with "William Guskill". He graduated in 1993 and started working at the State Theaters in the same year. During the 95-96 season, he served as the deputy director of the Diyarbakir State Theater. He continued his duty at the Ankara State Theatre.
He portrayed Governor Recep Yazicioglu between 2006 and 2008 in a series of films based on the novel of the same name written by writer Ayse Kulin and about the Baspinar Bridge, which Governor Recep Yazicioglu made great efforts to build during his Erzincan Governorship.
In 2014, Erdal Besikcioglu, Ibrahim Celikkol, Selen Soyder, Nehir Erdogan, Ismail Demirci and Yurdaer Okur played the leading roles in the TV series "Code Name Reaction / Kod Adi Reaksiyon".
He still continues his duty at Ankara State Theatre.
Erdal Besikcioglu has been married to his classmate from the conservatory, actress Elvin Besikcioglu, since 1991. He has a daughter named Derin and a son named Ömer. - Actor
- Soundtrack
Halit Ergenç (born 30 April 1970) is a Turkish actor.
Halit Ergenç was born as the son of Yesilçam-era actor Sait Ergenç on 30 April 1970 in Istanbul. He completed his secondary education at Besiktas Atatürk High School in 1989 and entered Istanbul Technical University to study Marine Engineering. He graduated from Operetta and Musical Theatre Departments of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University. He supported himself working as a computer operator and marketer. He briefly worked as a backing vocalist and dancer for Ajda Pekkan and Leman Sam.
In 1996, Ergenç began acting at the Dormen Theatre and had his first leading role in the musical The King and I. He established himself on television with his part in the series Kara Melek. He continued working in theatre with plays such as Kiss Me, Kate, Tatli Charity, Beni Seviyor, Kral ve Ben, Amphitrion 2000, Evita, Hayalet and Ötekiler and Sarkilar Susarsa. Following appearances in the series Köse Kapmaca and Böyle mi Olacakti, he went to New York and acted in the musical The Adventures of Zak.
In 2000, he participated in the films Hiç Yoktan Ask and Ölümün El Yazisi and then the series Dedem, Gofret ve Ben and Zerda where he starred opposite Ece Uslu. Then, he had appearances in a number of plays such as ''Bugün Git Yarin Gel, Popcorn, Arapsaçi and Sevgilime Göz Kulak Ol. In 2004], he starred in the series Aliye with Sanem Çelik and Nejat Isler.
In 2005 and 2006, Ergenç acted in the films Babam ve Oglum directed by Çagan Irmak, The Net 2.0, Tramway and Ilk Ask. Beginning in 2006, he starred as Onur Aksal in the hit series Binbir Gece which was on air until 2009. During this period he also had roles in the films Devrim Arabalari which was based on a true story and Aci Ask. Ergenç also starred as Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in the film Dersimiz Atatürk which was also based on a true story. Makeup artists transformed his face into Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. In 2011 he starred as Suleiman the Magnificent in the hit series Muhtesem Yüzyil until 2014.
Ergenç was involved in the Gezi protests of 2013, appearing in newspaper photos wearing a Bob Marley T-shirt and surgical mask for protection against tear gas. His presence made for interesting copy, since he at once played the role of one of the Ottoman Empire's foremost leaders in the show Muhtesem Yüzyil, and at the same time he was protesting the actions of a government very much invested in celebrating Ottoman glory. Ergenç was subsequently summoned with other cultural leaders to a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, and Erdogan apparently quizzed Ergenç on Ottoman words used by Suleiman, the character whom Ergenç played in Muhtesem Yüzyil.
After, he played Fatali Khan Khoyski who the first Prime Minister of the independent Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in Ali & Nino. He played in the movie Istanbul Kirmizisi directed by Ferzan Özpetek. In 2016, he started playing opposite his wife Bergüzar Korel in Vatanim Sensin.
Ergenç's mother was of Albanian descent. He is married to actress Bergüzar Korel with whom he has a son named Ali. He has stated that he likes Zeki Demirkubuz's style and Ferzan Özpetek's emotion, but prefers to work the most with Reha Erdem and Çagan Irmak, whom he describes as both young and talented directors.
In 2017, Ergenç visited Pakistan and attended the Lux Style Awards-where he was honoured with the International Icon award-due to his popularity in the country. In his accepting speech, Ergenç said that he had grown up knowing Pakistan as a "brother country."- Actor
- Art Director
- Writer
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).- Actor
- Production Designer
- Director
Ali Atay is a Turkish actor, musician, filmmaker and writer who graduated from Mimar Sinan Theatre Conservatory in 1999. He is well known with his role as Mecnun on television series "Leyla ile Mecnun". In 2013 he has acted in the movie "Sen Aydinlatirsin Geceyi" which written and directed by Onur Ünlü. In 2014, he wrote and directed his very first movie called "Limonata". In 2018, he wrote and directed his second movie "Ölümlü Dünya". He also starred in 2017 blockbuster "Ayla: The Daughter of War". In 2018 he acted in movie "Türk Isi Dondurma". In 2019 he won the Best Actor Award for his role at "Noah Land" at Tribeca Festival.- Actor
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Engin Günaydin (born 23 January 1972) is a Turkish actor and comedian.
Günaydin was born in Erbaa, Tokat Province. He began his university studies at Hacettepe University Conservatory, but in his second year he switched to Mimar Sinan University from where he graduated in theatre.
In 1997, he had a small role in Otogargara which caused him to be cast in the television series Bir Demet Tiyatro where he played Zabita Irfan. Later he acted in Askim Askim with Mehmet Ali Erbil and Emel Sayin. In 2001, he acted in Zeki Demirkubuz's film Yazgi for which he received the Best Supporting Actor Award at the Ankara Film Festival. In 2004, he began doing sketches on Okan Bayülgen's show. In 2005, he accepted an offer from Gülse Birsel and joined the cast of the sitcom Avrupa Yakasi as Burhan Altintop, his most famous role. In 2009, he wrote the screenplay of and starred in Vavien directed by the Taylan Brothers. For this, he won a number of screenwriting awards at the Istanbul Film Festival, Yesilcam Awards and the Siyad awards.
Additionally, he did a series of stand up shows titled O Hikayedeki Mal Benim.
He shared the Adana Golden Boll International Film Festival's Best Actor Award in 2012 together with Ilyas Salman for his role in Inside.- Yigit Özsener is a Turkish actor of screen and stage, born in Izmir, April 6, 1972. He completed his undergraduate studies in BS in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering at Yildiz Technical University and his MBA at Koc University, Istanbul. His acting career started on theatre stage when he joined Studio Players during his undergraduate studies. Under Sahika Tekand's mentorship, he quickly proved himself as versatile performer and took part in the Studio's various plays including Dumb Waiter by Harold Pinter. He participated workshops based on Suzuki method of acting by Ellen Lauren as well as Theodoros Terzopoulos of Attis Theatre in Athens, Greece in 1996. His first international stage appearance was in 2000, he played in Heracles Triology produced by Attis Theatre of Athens for 10th International Greek Drama Festival.
His earliest credit roles on television were commercials; first he became the face of Turk.net campaign (telecommunication). Next, he starred in the branded mini series of Turkcell (leading communication and technology provider) which was a highly successful campaign that embraces celebrity endorsement and art of storytelling for the first time in Turkey. This campaign proved to be the turning point of his career as he managed to get his first break on TV series in 2001; performing a theatre actor who was the first suspect of an unsolved murder in Karanlikta Kosanlar; an acclaimed controversial crime-drama which was ahead of its time . That same year, he received an offer from Uzgunum Leyla, a compelling TV series that culminate a very respected and experienced cast. His performance among such a cast led to his involvement in permanently in drama series, made-for-TV films and movies in the upcoming years. Consecutively, he acted in Unutma Beni (2002), Estagfurullah Yokusu (2003), Crude (2003), O Simdi Asker (2003), Arapsaci (2004), Calinan Ceset (2004), Gece 11.45 (2004), One Day Europe (2004), 24 Saat (2005), Tombala (2005), 5 Vakit (2005), Kabuslar Evi (2006), Ruya Gibi (2006) and Last Looks (2006). Among other highly acclaimed series and movies, he has also been a part of several short films. While appearing in a string of roles on screen, he never lost his passion on acting on stage. He joined a workshop by the Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowsky & Thomas Richards in 2004 and another one by Shizuoka Performing Arts Center members in 2006. Later that year, he acted in Persians (coproduction directed by Theodoros Terzopoulos) in the opening of Theater Olympics in Turkey and Epidaurus Festival in Greece. In 2007, he starred in the trailer of Istanbul International Indepedent Film Festival.
His role in Dudaktan Kalbe (2007), the modern adaptation of 1925 novel by the famous Turkish author Resat Nuri Guntekin, set his career on a path to totally new heights. In this drama, he played the cynical character of the series, Cemil Pasazade, and turned him into someone caring and devoted in the end. Him raising an insignificant character of the novel up to the titular character of the drama and bringing the series to a surprising conclusion, caught the eye of many. Up next for Yigit Ozsener, was joining the A list star studded cast of Ezel in 2009. Ezel was a massive game changer in the Turkish televisions, won several awards and became worldwide popular. (still one of the most exported series to date - more than 80 countries). His portrayal of Cengiz Atay in this number-one-rated series is widely considered to be among the greatest antagonists of all time. This brought him, his first leading role in a movie, Kaybedenler Kulubu (2011) which became a cult in modern Turkish cinematography with its controversial content, non-status-quo thoughts and long conversations without taboos. Despite a love story that falls flat on the scenario based on a true story, the great chemistry between the two leading male actors who provide ample doses of humour as radio programmers while poignantly portraying loneliness in an overcrowded city, took over the show entirely. On the strength of his ability to craft impactful character flaws, Yigit Ozsener acquired a reputation masterfully portraying dark, manipulative, unpredictable, passionate but unappealing figures. On the other hand, casting in supporting roles of other big budget productions in the same period; Gunesi Gordum (2008), Ask Tesadufleri Sever (2010), Dedemin Insanlari (2011), cemented his status as a multi layered character actor. Besides his commitment and popularity on screen during the 2000's, he continued to remain active on stage as well. He had prominent roles in several works. He played in A Trial in Istanbul (2008) based on Kafka's The Trial and Evridike'nin Cigligi (2009) based on Sophocles' Antigone one after another. In 2010, he performed in Forgetting in Ten Steps - AntiPrometeus, a play produced for 2010 World Cultural Capitals. Shortly after he joined a workshop tutored by Natsuko Ohama, David Bridel and Susan Main in 2014, he played in Water's Edge by Theresa Rebeck for two seasons.
Yigit Özsener's acting style remained firmly rooted in his stage technique, led him develop a form of screen acting that was quite stylised. Yet one of his greatest achievements is that he is so persuasive, it is hardly to be catchable. After a series of TV and cinema performances with diverse range of roles that followed the years; Son (2012), Intikam (2013), Two Faces of January (2013), Yuz Yillik Muhur (2015), Cesur ve Guzel (2016), Bir Kahramanin Ruyasi (2016), Ise Yarar Bir Sey (2016) and Kaybedenler Kulubu Yolda (2018), he landed his debut role on digital platforms. He took on the lead role in an original BlueTV series; Bozkir (2018). In this 10 episode crime story, Yigit Özsener starred as Seyfi Amir who is an experienced police officer with a rookie partner, investigates a serial killer with a fondness for leaving weird evidence after murdering children in a small town. The spooky setting and strong chemistry between the lead actors, pretty much captured viewers and critics interest. He burst back into commercials as the brand ambassador of Dacia (automative) and portraying a wise and off-the-beaten track man in the branded series on TV and the digital ads.
Recently, he is on stage with two plays; Waiting For Godot (2016) and IO (2019) by Studio Players (both of which premiered at Istanbul International Theater Festival on consecutive editions) and on screen with a new prime time TV series Ramo (2020) and Dacia commercials. Yigit Özsener is also a sought after voiceover artist for commercials and audio-book streaming services. On top of that, he has not limited his professional career to just acting, as he is a committed environmentalist, who is active volunteer and ambassador of TEMA foundation (preventing erosion, reforestation and protection of natural habitats). - Actor
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Tolga Çevik was born on 12 May 1974 in Istanbul, Turkey. He is an actor and writer, known for Magic Carpet Ride (2005), Arkadasim Hosgeldin (2013) and Tolgshow (2017). He has been married to Özge Yilmaz since 9 September 2004. They have two children.- Actor
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Ahmet Kural is a Turkish Actor. He was born on November 10, 1982 in Kütahya, where his father served as the police chief. He is originally from Ankara. He started to his studies attending high school theater and changed eleven schools in twelve years because of his fathers recurring new assignment locations. He is graduated from Radio, Television and Cinema department of Konya Selçuk University and has a Master's degree from Bilkent University. He has also got acting education from Müjdat Gezen Art Center. His career is full of joint work with highly respected and very talented senior Turkish actors such as Levent Kirca, Haluk Bilginer, Rasim Öztekin, Köksel Engür and Hümeyra Akbay. He has been very close friend with Murat Cemcir and they acted together in many television shows.- Actor
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Ozan Güven (born 19 May 1975) is a Turkish film, TV series and theatre actor.
His family is of Turkish origin who immigrated from Bulgaria. He was born in Germany and lived there until he was 9 years old. He can speak Turkish, German, English. He studied acting at the Izmir Municipal Conservatory and played at the renowned Sahika Tekand Theatre in Istanbul. He also studied Modern Dance at the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University. With a remarkable sense of psychology and humour he forcefully performed a wide range of characters in various genres, including drama, crime thriller or satirical comedy. In addition to many TV series and critically successful art films such as Ali Özgentürk's Balalayka or Ümit Ünal's Dokuz (9), Ozan Güven also starred with his friend Cem Yilmaz in the science fiction comedy G.O.R.A, its sequel A.R.O.G as well as in the Western parody Yahsi Bati.
In 2005, he married director Türkan Derya. They have one child. They divorced in 2010.- Actor
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Nadir Saribacak was born on September 14, 1977 in Ankara, Turkey. He studied Turkish Literature at the University of Canakkale and worked as a teacher in Istanbul in order to be in a big city to develop his acting career. It was there that he joined the Semaver Kumpanya theater company. Saribacak continued his training at Bahcesehir University, where he received his Masters in Acting. His career took-off after he starred in the film Uzak Ihtimal (2009), for which he received many Best Actor awards in festivals including the International Film Festival TOFIFEST and the Istanbul International Film Festival. He appeared in the film Winter Sleep which won the Palme d'Or award at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. For his role in the Sundance World Cinema nominated film Ivy (2015), he received the Best Actor award at the Antalya Golden Orange film festival, as well as many others.
Nadir moved to the New York City in 2017 and continuing his acting career in theater and films.- Actor
- Director
- Soundtrack
Keskin started his acting journey when he enrolled for theater classes in 1997, at the 'City of Izmit Theater Company', which was founded under Isil Kasapoglu's leadership. Alongside his studies as an actor, Keskin took on various roles in plays produced by the 'City of Izmit Theater Company', between 1998 and 2001. Upon deciding to further his studies in theater and acting, he moved to Istanbul and continued to study under Isil Kasapoglu, at 'Akademi Istanbul'. After completing his time as a student; alongside Isil Kasapoglu, Keskin became one of the founding members of 'Semaver Kumpanya', which was established in 2002. He was awarded with the '32nd Ismail Dumbullu Award' thanks to his contribution to and accomplishments in theater. Keskin continues his works with 'Semaver Kumpanya'. Keskin has also been active and very successful on the small screen. Appearing in a number of hit TV shows such as 'Hirsiz Polis', 'Bu Kalp Seni Unutur mu?', 'Deli Sarayli', 'Leyla ile Mecnun', 'Ben de Ozledim', 'Bes Kardes', and the recently shot internet series 'Masum' (first professional web-series in Turkey); Keskin has showed that his screen acting is up there with his stage performances. His performance as 'Ismail Abi', in the hit absurd comedy 'Leyla ile Mecnun', has allowed Keskin to reach out to a larger audience and gain widespread national fame. Keskin also formed a band with the director of the show, Onur Unlu, and fellow actors, Ali Atay and Osman Sonant, named 'Leyla the Band', bringing forward his passion and love for music. Appearing in more than thirty movies since the year 2004, Serkan Keskin has become a go to actor for a wide range of roles for some of the top directors in Turkey. His first movie appearance was in the Reha Erdem film, 'Korkuyorum Anne'. Within that same year, Keskin worked with director Yavuz Turgul, in the movie 'Gonul Yarasi'. He later got the chance to work with the legendary director, Zeki Okten, in his movie, 'Cinliler Geliyor'. Later, after portraying a character in the international multi award winning movie 'Sonbahar', which was directed by Ozcan Alper, he worked with director Aydin Bulut, in his movie, 'Baska Semtin Çocuklari'. Upon crossing paths with director Onur Unlu, and working together in his movie, 'Gunesin Oglu', the actor and director continued to work together in TV and cinema projects. These projects were: 'Leyla ile Mecnun', 'Bes Kardes', 'Sen Aydinlatirsin Geceyi', and 'Kirik Kalpler Bankasi'. With their next movie project together, 'Itirazim Var', Keskin won 'Best Actor' in the '51 Antalya Altin Portakal Festival', the '20 Sadri Alisik Cinema Awards', and the '33 Istanbul Film Festival', with his performance as 'Imam Selman Bulut'. Keskin also took home the 'Best Supporting Actor' award at the '21 Adana Altin Koza Festival' for his performance in the movie, 'Silsile'. Keskin won all these awards in the same year. Serkan Keskin has later portrayed a wide range of characters in movies such as; 'Pus', 'Vavien', 'Av Mevsimi', 'Takiye: Allah'in Yolunda', 'Unutma Beni', 'Eylul', 'Yeralti', 'Yabanci', 'F Tipi Film', 'Yok Artik', 'Limonata', 'Tereddut'. His most recent movies include 'Tatlim Tatlim', and the 2017 production, 'Ahlat Agaci', from master director, Nuri Bilge Ceylan.- Actor
- Soundtrack
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.- Kenan Imirzalioglu was born in Ankara at June 18th, 1974. Imirzalioglu finished elementary school in Ankara, when he was 12. He went to middle school and high school at Ankara. Then he moved to Istanbul for his University education. He graduated from Yildiz Technical University. He has a Bachelor of Mathematics degree.
In 1997, he attended Best Model of Turkey finals and he won the contest. Then he qualified for Best Model of the World contest. He also won the contest and achieved the title "Best Model of The World".
For the first time, a Turkish model won the title Best Model of The World. After winning the model contest, famous Turkish director Osman Sinav offered him a leading role as Yusuf Miroglu in the new TV serial Deli Yurek which was the first Turkish TV series exported internationally in 1999. The series broadcaster between 1999 - 2002. He also had The lead role for the movie version of the series 'Deli Yurek : Boomerang Cehennemi' in 2001).
He went to US for acting and language education after Deli Yurek projects. After his return he joined the cast of new TV series Alacakaranlik which was on TV screens in 2003 - 2005. In between, at 2004, he played a leading role at Yazi Tura movie which won 16 awards in different film festivals. Most impressing award of all was "The Best Actor" award at Adana Altin Koza Festival, one of the major movie award organization of Turkey.
Between 2005-2007, he enacted "Mehmet Kosovali" at white screen with the TV Series Aci Hayat. In 2006, He took the leading role in his third movie Son Osmanli Yandim Ali followed by Kabadayi in 2007 which was his fourth movie project between TV series projects.
In 2009, He started a new project at white screen with Ezel which was his carriers best and up swinging role. The series became The most popular and top rated series in Turkish television history between 2009 - 2011. Along with TV series, His successful career continued with Ejder Kapani 2010 and with Uzun Hikaye in 2012.
Karadayi (2012-2015), he started his careers 5th TV series with Mahir Kara role. After this series at 2017, he starred the movie of Cingoz Recai which is fallowed by another TV series Fatih . This was one of the most budgeted TV series of Turkish Television at which he gave life to the character of Fatih Sultan Mehmet who is one of the most important figures of Ottoman and Turkish history.
Recently, he is presenting the longest TV contest Kim Milyoner Olmak Ister. Also he joined the cast of TV series Alef for 8 episodes to be broadcaster at online TV platform Blu TV. - Actor
- Soundtrack
Riza Kocaoglu (born March 19, 1979) is a Turkish actor. Born and raised in Izmir. His family is Turkish origin who immigrated from Thessaloniki and part of his family is from Erivan, Kars. Her sister is actress, Gözde Kocaoglu. He is a graduate of the theater department at Dokuz Eylül University and has worked in cinema since 2001.
Big and small screen actor known for his roles in the films Hunting Season and Losers' Club. Some of his popular recurring television roles include Karadayi (2012), Kuzey Güney (2011), Filinta (2014), Ezel (2009), Insider (2016) and The Pit (2016).- Actor
- Composer
Okan Yalabik (born 13 December 1978) is a Turkish actor. He graduated theater at Istanbul University State Conservatory and master of Film and Drama in Kadir Has University. He has appeared in more than twenty films since 2001.
Yalabik was born in 1978 in Istanbul as the second child of his family who originate from Balikesir. He went to the Macka Primary School at a young age showed interest in acting. According to his interview, it was his brother, Ozan, who brought home a cassette of Ferhan Sensoy's movie Ferhangi Seyler and Yalabik memorized every line of it and became determined to become an actor. He later went to Sisli Terakki High School followed by Sakip Sabanci Anadolu High School, and in 1993 by inviting Cengiz Deveci to the school he helped in the establishment of Sakip Sabanci Anadolu High School Theater Department. Yalabik, who played in various roles in many amateur groups, eventually got enrolled in Istanbul University State Conservatory in 1997 to study theater.
He had his first role in 1998 by playing the character Marti in a play at Kenter Theater. Later he portrayed different characters in the plays Nukte, Sirca Kumes, Inishmorelu Yuzbasi at the same venue In 2006, he appeared in Orhan Hakalmaz's clip Su Kislanin Kapisina, and in 2007, together Sezin Akbasogullari, he played in Robert Bosch GmbH's commercial for Turkey. Later he started to act in the movies such as Gulum and Kolay Para and was cast in the TV series Yilan Hikayesi, Serseri, and Hatirla Sevgili In 2010, for he role as Hasan in Yavuz Turgul's movie Av Mevsimi he won the "Best Supporting Actor" award at the 4th Yesilcam Awards. At the same year he took part in Kadir Has University Film and Drama Graduate Program.
In 2011, portrayed Pargali Ibrahim Pasha on the historical TV series Muhtesem Yuzyil. His character was killed on the 82nd episode. In the later episodes, his voice was featured on a number of scenes.
In 2015, he was cast in ATV's Analar vie Anneler directed by Mehmet Ada Oztekin, and was part of the main cast alongside Sinem Kobal, Hazar Erguclu and Binnur Kaya. But, due to low ratings, the series ended after 9 episodes.
In 2016, he was cast in a movie about the effects left behind by the Balkan Wars, titled Annemin Yarasi, which was directed by Ozan Aciktan. At the same year he voiced the characters Adnan vie Cizer on the animation film Kotu Kedi Serafettin based on Bulent Ustun's novel
He also continued his theater career by appearing on the play The 39 Steps in Turkey.
Okan Yalabik played in the TV series "Hekimoglu" for 51 episodes from 2019 to 2020.
Yalabik, who took part in the movie 'Azizler' in 2021, is still active in theater and dubbing.- Actor
- Production Designer
- Writer
Born in Istanbul. Graduated from MSM, Istanbul (Mujdat Gezen Sanat Merkezi) - Acting and Indiana University - Acting. Won many awards in Turkey as a stage actor. Had parts in many Turkish TV serials and recently ha had a part in an USA TV mini series called Ugarit. Nowadays he acts in DOT and nominated as the best stage actor of the year, 2006.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Ilker Aksum is a Turkish film and television actor, born on 23 May, 1971 in Istanbul, Turkey. He is well known for his role in the film "Yabanci Damat" (2004), "Our Grand Despair" (2011), "Kucuk Kiyamet" (2006) and "Vavien" (2009).
Ilker Aksum did his schooling at Etimesgut Seker Elementary School. Then he studied at Mehmetcik High School. He completed his graduation from the Theater Department at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in 1989. He also studied at the Ankara State Conservatory.
Ilker Aksum started his acting career in the Antalya State Theater in 1994. His first professional role was in the "Hamlet" game as Ophelia. He left in Istanbul in 1996 since the staff was not opened. After a short period, he left his military service in Kars Sarikamis. He worked at the Bakirkoy Municipal Theater for a short time and worked at the Istanbul City Theater for a year.
Ilker met Taylan Biraderler, when he played a part in the television series "Secret File" with his friend Devin Ozgur Cinar. Later, he appeared in the role of the uncle of the "Tsar" series, which was played by the most famous chimpanzee. He also presented the contest show "One for Two".
Aksum appeared in many films. He made his film debut with the film "Our Grand Despair" in 2011. He was the presenters of the 49th International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival held on 07 October, 2012, which was organized by Iclal Aydin and Ilker Aksum.
Ilker Aksum won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 28th Siyad Turk Sinemasi Awards, for the first feature film "Little Doomsday", which was directed by Durul and Yagmur Taylan brothers in 2006. In 2006, he achieved the Best Supporting Actor award in the 28th SIYAD Turkish Cinema Awards. He won the Best Supporting Actor award in the Ismail Cem Television Awards in 2010. In 2013, he won the Best Actor of the Year in the 18th Sadri Familiar Theater and Cinema Acting Awards for his role in the film "Happy Family Book".
Recently, Ilker Aksum has continued to work in films and television series.
Ilker Aksum's father's name is Mehmet Bulent Aksum, who is an officer pilot and his mother's name is Nurten Aksum. He has twin brothers, named Ilkay Aksum and Alpay Aksum. He is married to Belgin Erdogan in 2008 and they got divorced in 2012.