Theater actor dies of cancer aged 89

ISTANBUL

Actor Tekin Akmansoy (R) is seen in a scene from his TV series ‘Kaynanalar,’ which made him best known for the character Nuri Kantar.

One of Turkey’s master theater actors, Tekin Akmansoy, died on Feb. 12 at Istanbul’s Şişli Memorial Hospital at age 89. He had been receiving treatment for bladder cancer and was in the hospital for the last week for lung failure. “We lost him suddenly. He was preparing for his new play,” said the actor’s daughter, Arzu Akmansoy. 

Born in 1923 in the Aegean province of Denizli, Akmansoy was one of the last surviving of the Turkish meddah (public storyteller) tradition. He graduated from the Ankara State Conservatory in 1947 and began working as an actor for the Ankara State Theater the same year. 

Among many other roles in various TV series and films, Akmansoy was best known for the character “Nuri Kantar” in a long-time TV series, “Kaynanalar,” on Turkish state-owned channel TRT. 

Funeral on Feb. 14 

In a written statement Culture and Tourism Minister Ömer Çelik expressed his condolences and said Akmansoy was an exceptional artist. “He is enshrined in the heart of the Turkish people with his Nuri Kantar character.” 

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also offered his condolences. “Today we lost a beloved artist. May God rest his soul in peace.” A funeral ceremony will be held Feb. 14 for Akmansoy and he will be buried in Zincirlikuyu Cemetery.