Mehmet Akan

Mehmet Akan was a versatile artist who was born in Birecik district of Şanlıurfa in 1939 and passed away in Istanbul in 2006. In addition to performing arts, he also accomplished important works in the fields of writing and folklore, and made his name known to large audiences.

Akan, who started his artistic career at the Gülriz Sururi-Engin Cezzar Theater, was especially remembered with the character of Sabri Bey, whom he played in the TV series "Bizimkiler". After completing his education in Birecik, he came to Istanbul and studied at Haydarpaşa High School and then graduated from Istanbul Technical University, Department of Mechanical Engineering.

He increased his acting experience by joining the Young Actors community during his university years. The plays "Kiraz Blossoms Blooming on the Contrary Branch" and "Akçagüller and Karagülmez", which he staged with this troupe, were his first attempts at writing. During the same period, he was interested in folk dances and took ballet lessons at the Turkish Revolutionary Clubs.

Mehmet Akan, who stepped into professional acting in 1962, had his first directorial experience by directing Haldun Taner's play "Zilli Zarife" in the same year. During this period, he took part in many important plays such as "Aklın Oyunu", "Othello", "Midas'ın Ears", "Ferhat ile Şirin" and "Keşanlı Ali Destanı".

Later, the artist moved to the Ulvi Uraz Theatre, where he both acted and staged the play "Ham Hum Şaralop", which he wrote himself. Akan, who also took part in the establishment of Dostlar Theater in 1969, worked as an actor, director and choreographer in plays such as "Abdülcanbaz", "Düşmanlar", "As the Day Turns", "The Rosenbergs Should Not Die", "The Hunt in Chile" and "Summer" in this troupe.

The artist choreographed the play "Keşanlı Ali Epic" in Czechoslovakia in 1974 and founded a group called HASAD, creating contemporary dance projects inspired by traditional folk dances. He married the dancer Alev Akçin, whom he met in this group, and they had a daughter named Saliha Şirvan in 1981. Mehmet Akan's play "Hikâye-i Mahmud Bedreddin" was staged at both Ankara Art Theater and Istanbul State Theaters in 1982.

Akan, who won the best director award for this play, was also deemed worthy of the best writer award. The artist's grave is located in Zincirlikuyu Cemetery.

Mehmet Akan's name was immortalized by giving it to a street and a cultural center in Birecik, where he was born. Mehmet Akan Cultural Center, which hosts various artistic events every year, continues to keep his artistic identity and legacy alive.

He started his career as a professional actor at the Gülriz Sururi-Engin Cezzar Theatre. His role as the apartment manager Sabri Bey in the TV series "Bizimkiler" brought him national fame. While he was in the rehearsals of the play called Oyun Sonu at Dostlar Theatre, he was hospitalized for surgery to remove a mass in his stomach. He suffered a hemorrhage after the surgery and died at the age of 66. His grave is in Zincirlikuyu Cemetery.

Productions in which he took part

He took part in 14 productions in total; 12 of the most well-known are listed.

• Ours (1989) — Sabri Dönmez
• Summer Houses (1993) — Ümran
• Love Game (2005) — İsmet
• Bullet Wound (2003)
• Enough, Mother (2002)
• Doll (1988) — Recep
• The Trial (1999) — The Man Who Reads Paper
• Gramophone Avrat (1987) — Teacher İsmet Bey
• Aaahh Belinda (1986) — Tarık Selim
• The Woman Has No Name (1988) — Işık's Father
• Wolf Law (1992) — Kara Kemal Bey
• My Teyzem (1986) — Recep

Production and imprint information was taken from TMDB.