Veteran Turkish actor Tuncel Kurtiz dies at 77

ISTANBUL

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Famous Turkish actor Tuncel Kurtiz died Sept. 27 at the age of 77. It was reported that Kurtiz died in the morning after returning home from exercising.

Born in Bilecik in 1936, Kurtiz graduated from the Department of English Language and Literature at Istanbul University. In 1959, he started acting at the Dormen Theatre. Since then, he has acted in many theaters in Turkey and abroad. He also performed in many international theaters and productions. In the 1970s, he directed plays for the German Turkish theater project “Türkisches Ensemble.”

In 1964, Kurtiz debuted as a film actor in the film “Şeytanın Uşakları,” He has starred in more than 70 national and international films and TV series. Kurtiz became famous in the film “Sürü.” He also starred in TV series. He became a phenomenon for his role in popular TV series “Ezel,” performing as Ramiz Karaeski, known as “Ramiz Dayı.” He was performing in the series “Muhteşem Yüzyıl” (Magnificent Century) in the role of Ebu Suud.

In 1986, Kurtiz was awarded the Best Actor award at the Berlin Film Festival. In the Golden Orange Film Festival, he received the best actor awards in 1994 and 2007. In 2008, he won Best Supporting Actor in the Yeşilçam Awards. He also received the Lifetime Achievement Award in the 48th Golden Orange Film Festival in 2011.