Zihni Göktay, who was born on December 2, 1945 in Fatih, Istanbul, after graduating from Pertevniyal High School, appeared on the stage at Eminönü Community Center and İMTB Youth Theaters between 1960 and 1964. He joined Ankara Meydan Sahnesi in 1964 and worked there until 1973; He performed in 72 plays during this period.
He continued to appear on stage as a part of Istanbul City Theaters since 1973. He took over the role of "Commissioner Cafer Sabbah" at Cibali Police Station, after Muammer Karaca and Nejat Uygur; He also took part in plays such as "Hisse-i Şaiya (A Marriage Comedy)", "Father's Gorillas", "The Wedding of Figaro", "Twelve Angry Men", "Luxury Life", "Birds", "Illustrated Ottoman History", "Brides of the Pink Mansion", "Sarıpınar 1914", "Bloody Nigar" and "Round Trip Moscow (Retro)".
Between 1978 and 1996, he worked as both a director and an actor in the Radio Theater Branch of TRT Istanbul Radio and worked as a voice actor in many local and foreign films.
In the world of cinema, he took part in films such as "Tosun Paşa", "Atla Gel Şaban" and "Meraklı Köfteci", starring Kemal Sunal; He became known to television audiences with the character of Ethem, which he played in the TV series "Cennet Mahallesi", which was broadcast between 2005 and 2007.
Göktay, who fell ill and was hospitalized in a nursing home in Maltepe, Istanbul, on July 5, 2026, passed away on the same day at the age of 80. The memorial ceremony took place on July 7 at Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage, then the funeral prayer was performed at Şakirin Mosque and he was buried in Karacaahmet Cemetery.
Zihni Göktay was born on December 2, 1945 in Istanbul, Türkiye. He died on July 6, 2026.
He was born in Istanbul-Fatih. He graduated from Pertevniyal High School. He worked at Ankara Meydan Stage between 1964 and 1973. He has been playing at Istanbul City Theater since 1973. He took part in 72 plays in 36 years. He worked as a director and actor in many plays in the Radio Theater Branch of Istanbul Radio between 1978 and 1996.
He also voiced in many films. Nowadays, he only voices himself in silent films in which he stars. His amateur career continued with İ.M.T.B. between 1960 and 1964. He continued his work in the Youth Theaters and Eminönü Community Center theater branch until he became a professional in 1964.
Following Muammer Karaca and Nejat Uygur, Göktay continues the character of "Commissioner Cafer Sabbah" in the play called Cibali Karakolu.
Productions in which he took part
He took part in 52 productions in total; 12 of the most well-known are listed.
- Ours (1989) — Muvaffak Güngör
- Güldür Güldür Show (2013)
- European Side (2004) — Golden Scissors Cihat
- The Stepfather (1998) — Ethem
- Cennet Mahallesi (2004) — Götingenli Ethem
- Ulan Istanbul (2014) — Servet
- Don't Let It End Like This (2012)
- My Coach (2002) — İsmail Yıldırım
- The Golden Boll (1969) — Self - Winner
- The Unmannered (2008) — Ethem
- The Delusion Family (1985)
- Tokatçı (1984) — İhsan Özenç Voice
Production and imprint information was taken from TMDB.
