Oya Başak

Oya Başak was born in 1936 and passed away on May 25, 2025. He was among the valuable academicians who took part in the founding years of Boğaziçi University, and was one of the rare professors who held the title of Emeritus Professor in the field of English Language and Literature. At the same time, as a name known for his theater and Shakespeare studies, he served as the head of the Department of Western Languages ​​and Literatures for 22 years.

In addition to being remembered as the "teacher of teachers" by his students and colleagues, he also played an important role in the emergence of the Mithat Alam Film Center.

Continuing her academic life in the USA, Başak graduated from Arnavutköy American College for Girls in 1955, then received her undergraduate education at Mount Holyoke College and her master's degree in speech and drama at the University of Illinois. He started his doctoral studies at the University of Minnesota and wrote his thesis on Turkish Theater and Muhsin Ertuğrul.

He returned to Türkiye between 1965-67 and completed his doctorate after working at Robert College. In the book titled Oya Başak: The Depth of Laughter, which is about her life, her academic journey intertwined with art and literature is explained in detail.

Başak, who was among the founding academicians of Boğaziçi University in 1971, directed the Department of Western Languages ​​and Literatures for many years. After his retirement, he continued his academic activities as Emeritus Professor. In addition to his research on Shakespeare and theatre, he also served as a jury member in art events such as the Bedia Muvahhit Theater Awards.

In addition to his academic stance, he was also a name that attracted attention with his sensitivity on social issues.

Başak, who clearly demonstrated her attitude against the appointment of a trustee rector to the university during the Boğaziçi University protests in 2021, participated in the action of turning the back on the rector and emphasized her belief in the democratic structure and academic autonomy of the institution in her speech. During this period, he was among the academics who were banned from entering the campus by the university administration, and this situation had a wide public impact.

Productions in which he took part

• The Woman Who Cannot Be Shared (1980) — Naciye
• Ordeal (1980)
• Female Dog (1980)
• You can do it, my dear! (2022)
• Razor, Killer of the Night (1980)
• Badanacı / Rearview Mirror (1979)
• Scorpion (1980)

Production and imprint information was taken from TMDB.