Levent Ülgen

Theater, film, and television series actor, director, and TV presenter. Born on August 8, 1962, in Cihanbeyli (Konya), Turkey. He completed his schooling at Ankara İnönü High School. He graduated from Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ), Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Physics, and subsequently pursued his professional performing training at Hacettepe University State Conservatory, Department of Theater. He also successfully completed his Master's degree. He launched his acting journey at the Ankara Ankara Halk Theatre under Erkan Yücel, debuting as an extra in the play "Atçalı Kel Mehmet". Following Yücel's tragic passing, he joined the Ankara Sanat Theatre (AST) under Rutkay Aziz. Upon graduation, he began working as a resident actor and director within the Turkish State Theatres. For a notable period, he hosted the highly popular intellectual quiz competition program "Bir Kelime Bir İşlem" on the national broadcaster TRT 1. Levent Ülgen is one of the most distinguished, exceptionally gifted, and celebrated master comedy and character actors in contemporary Turkish entertainment. As documented across elite media registries including Wikipedia, the atv network archives, and the international portal elCinema, he achieved monumental television prominence and a cult following by portraying the cunning, unreliable son-in-law Kadir in the hit series "En Son Babalar Duyar" (2002–2006). His character's iconic catchphrase "Hallederiz" (We'll handle it) became so deeply embedded in Turkish pop culture that both the character and Ülgen became widely known by the nickname "Hallederiz Kadir". He solidified his status as a legendary primetime star with his brilliant main leading performance as the witty cab driver Sinan Kaya in the long-running comedy hit "Akasya Durağı" (2008–2012). He reached another prominent peak in his contemporary international career by portraying the good-natured and wise Necmi İplikçi in the smash-hit romantic comedy phenomenon "Love for Rent" (Kiralık Aşk, 2015–2017). His other rich television credits include playing the chemistry teacher Ziya in the sitcom "Bizim Okul" (2013). On the silver screen, he starred alongside Ata Demirer in the comedy feature "Niyazi Gül Dörtnala" (2015). Interesting facts: He uniquely combines the analytical mind of an ODTÜ physics graduate with a deep academic theater background. A dedicated civic activist, he actively serves in various non-governmental organizations. Since 2007, he has volunteered annually to perform in stage readings of Nâzım Hikmet's plays directed by Yılmaz Onay during the traditional Nâzım Days at the Nâzım Hikmet Cultural Center. He holds passionate political views; during the 2023 elections, he was one of 226 prominent public figures—including academics, writers, and lawyers—who officially signed the founding declaration of the Socialist Power Union (Sosyalist Güç Birliği). Marital Status: He was formerly married to prominent Turkish stage actress Tülay Bursa. He later married Ziynet Şafak Ülgen. He has one child.