Cengiz Bozkurt

Theater, film, and television series actor, and documentary director. Born on December 24, 1965, in Nevşehir, Turkey. He completed his high school education at the prestigious Ankara Atatürk High School. In 1984, he entered the Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) to study Physics; however, in 1990, he made a definitive decision to pursue acting, left the department, and moved to the United Kingdom. During his 14-year journey in England, he worked various jobs, including street vending, driving, and shopkeeping. Due to his fluent command of English, he also served as a representative for Turkish immigrant associations in London. He pursued his second undergraduate degree at Goldsmiths, University of London, graduating in 1996 from the Department of Media and Communications, where he studied television, cinema, and theatrical training. Post-graduation, he directed short films and documentaries for television. His passion for acting, which began during his ODTÜ theater club days, was revitalized in London after meeting fellow Turkish theater professional Mehmet Ergen. Together, they co-founded the famous "Arcola Theatre", which rapidly gained massive prestige in the UK. In 2003, Ergen invited him back to Istanbul to star in the play "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" for the Kent Oyuncuları company, marking his official return to his homeland after 14 years away. Cengiz Bozkurt is one of the most distinguished, uniquely talented, and highly celebrated master character actors in contemporary Turkish cinema and television. As documented across elite media registries including Wikipedia, Sinemalar, Beyazperde, the Slovak TV-Archive, and the international network e-Talenta, his return to the Turkish stage earned him instant critical acclaim and multiple theatrical award nominations. His ultimate career breakthrough and massive nationwide stardom came with his masterful portrayal of the iconic, cynical grocer Erdal (Erdal Bakkal) in the legendary cult absurdist comedy series "Leyla and Mecnun" (Leyla ile Mecnun, 2011–2013). The character became an unprecedented cultural phenomenon. He successfully solidified his position as a powerhouse primetime star by delivering unforgettable leading performances in hit comedy blockbusters and series such as "Kocamın Ailesi", "Güzel Köylü", "Jet Sosyete", "Kuzey Yıldızı İlk Aşk", and the smash-hit comedy film franchise "Eyyvah Eyvah 3". Armed with an elite international profile and flawless English, he frequently stars in high-profile multinational cinema projects, seamlessly managing his professional acting career concurrently between the United Kingdom and Turkey. Interesting facts: His acting journey originally sparked during his early university years within the prominent ODTÜ Oyuncuları amateur theater community. Beyond his iconic mainstream acting portfolio, he is a trained media communicator who has written and directed several short films showcased at international film festivals. His visionary role as a co-founder of London's Arcola Theatre cemented his legacy within the British independent theater scene. Marital Status: Married to Katherine Bozkurt (Hatice Kavak Bozkurt), with whom he has two children. He also has an older daughter named Çağla from his first marriage in England.