Tolga Tekin: Biography and Career
Tolga Tekin was born on March 19, 1973, in Ankara. He is a Turkish actor known for his work in television, film, and theatre.
- Name: Tolga Tekin
- Date of Birth: March 19, 1973
- Place of Birth: Ankara
- Height: 1.75 m
- Weight: 79 kg
- Zodiac Sign: Pisces
- Eye Color: Brown
- Siblings: One older sister
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tolgatekinnn
Family
He was born and raised in Ankara. His mother was a Bulgarian immigrant and a civil servant, while his father, originally from Kars, was an undersecretary at a ministry. He has one older sister.
“I am the child of a wonderful mother and father. My father was a mining engineer. He was a mathematics genius. He was an undersecretary at the Ministry of Energy and helped pass the Mining Law. Whenever a miner died or there was a collapse, our home would also be filled with sorrow. My father worked hard to bring the conditions of mines and miners up to European standards, but he didn’t receive the recognition he deserved. We lost him at a very young age. He was a very valuable person. He suddenly had a heart attack and was gone. I’ve felt the impact of this throughout my life. I was suddenly confronted with the difficult side of life. I was at the conservatory when I lost my father. On one hand, I was trying to graduate; on the other, I was dealing with this pain. It was a very heavy period. I still live with the fear of losing loved ones. This fear of loss makes me a bit anxious and sensitive towards life. A bit touchy and emotional. After my father passed away, I had to take on the responsibility for my mother and sister. It was a heavy burden. We went through very tough times. But time heals all wounds.”
Childhood Years
His dream of becoming an actor began in childhood. At age 4, during family gatherings, he would be put on the table to do Elvis Presley impressions. “As a child, I best expressed myself through impressions, acting out movies I watched for my neighborhood friends. Of course, I wanted to be liked and applauded. In middle school and high school, I was the head of the drama club. When it came time for university, what I definitely wanted was theatre. To satisfy my parents, despite being good at math, I intentionally didn’t focus on Turkish and social studies and instead took the conservatory exams and got into Hacettepe.”
Education
He graduated from the Hacettepe University State Conservatory, Department of Theatre. He passed the exam opened by the State Theatres and began his post at the Adana State Theatre. After working at the Adana State Theatre from 1996 to 2004, he was transferred to the Ankara State Theatre. He continues to work within the Ankara State Theatre.
First Step into Acting
His television adventure began with the series ‘Bizim Evin Halleri’.
Breakthrough Project
He captured widespread attention with his portrayal of the character ‘Özkan’ in the series ‘Paramparça’ (Broken Pieces).
Istanbul Career
His manager was instrumental in his move from Ankara to Istanbul. He came to Istanbul to play a role for only two episodes, but his career there became much more long-term.
“‘During ‘Bizim Evin Halleri’, I didn’t have a manager. My plays in Ankara were ongoing. At that time, a series called ‘Kapalıçarşı’ (Grand Bazaar) was going to be filmed. There was a role as a sausage maker (sucukçu) from Kayseri. They called me for an audition. I spent two or three days in Ankara studying the Kayseri dialect and figuring out how this sausage maker should be. When I came to Istanbul, before meeting my current manager, her assistant filmed my audition. When the shoot was over, I heard this sentence: ‘I am just shocked and can’t say anything else.’ The next day, I met Renda Güner. She said it was one of the best auditions she had ever seen in her life. I was supposed to play Sucukçu Mustafa for only two episodes in ‘Kapalıçarşı’, but I ended up being in the entire story. I still haven’t gotten used to this city (Istanbul), and it’s very difficult for me to. First of all, I’m an ‘Ankara child’ (a son of Ankara). I’m used to silence and order. Even relationships—friendships, romantic, and bureaucratic—are so complicated in Istanbul. I still can’t figure it out, and I’m not trying to. Because I’m not used to it. I learned a lot from ‘Muhteşem Yüzyıl’ (Magnificent Century). ‘Kapalıçarşı’ was my first Istanbul series. I saw the environment and gained a completely different experience. In ‘Çıplak Gerçek’ (Naked Truth), I learned a lot from a great crime director and screenwriter like Ümit Ünal. In ‘Paramparça’, I played a very beautiful and interesting role. I definitely gained something from every job I worked on.”
Personality
Respectful, sincere, emotional, and knows what he wants from life. “I am a Pisces and I carry all its traits. I am very emotional, and because of this, I sometimes succumb to my childish side.”
Philosophy
He has been an artist at the state theatre for over 20 years. He mentions that he could have come to Istanbul right after graduation and perhaps become a more famous and higher-earning actor, but his priorities in life were different.
“Instead of coming to Istanbul right after school, I joined the state theatres and worked in Adana for eight years. Not everyone does that. The Ankara State Conservatory is the first conservatory in history. I was so lucky that Prof. Dr. Cüneyt Gökçer was our instructor for four years. It was an institution he headed. Throughout its history, it has been the conservatory where the Stanislavski method was taught most correctly and with the most discipline. This is where the ‘Ankara difference’ comes from. In our tradition, that discipline and perspective on acting and life are ingrained. You couldn’t even be one minute late for class at the conservatory. On the contrary, we would go half an hour early to warm up. We wouldn’t go straight home after school either. We would talk about what we did that day. We reap the benefits of all this as time passes. We were students of an incredible staff: Cüneyt Gökçer, Çetin Tekindor, Levent Ülgen, Laçin Ceylan, Asuman Korad, Cem Emüler…”
Source of Happiness
Working with a master actor like Tuncel Kurtiz in the series ‘Muhteşem Yüzyıl’ is one of his greatest sources of happiness. “We were always side by side on set. He would always talk, and I would listen. He used to say, ‘One must live life by tasting everything, in moderation, in balance.’ I wish the master had lived longer. I learned so much from him; sitting and chatting on set with a master like Tuncel Kurtiz were the most wonderful moments of my life.”
First Feature Film
Çağan Irmak’s ‘Mustafa Hakkında Herşey’ (All About Mustafa).
View on Love
“Love is beautiful, but very difficult. There are many emotions that create love. Trust, faith, compromise, sharing, affection, respect—and I think respect is the most important. It’s very hard for all of these to exist at once. There are always shortcomings. It’s hard to complete it. That’s why it’s so difficult. Love happens as you get to know someone. I never believed in love at first sight. As for marriage, I don’t know what life will bring. Maybe tomorrow someone will come along and make me believe again. I’ll say, ‘This is the person I want to spend my life with.’ I didn’t get married just to get divorced, but it didn’t work out, we couldn’t do it, we separated.”
View on Life
He never wanted to be just famous. “If I had wanted to be a ‘jön’ (leading man), based on the offers I received, I would have gone to Istanbul right after graduating from school and started doing TV series. Besides, back then I was thinner, had more hair, was younger, and fresher. But I never thought about being ‘just famous.’ What young actor would want to spend eight years of his life in a single region? I did, because becoming a good character actor always seemed more logical and correct than being a leading man. Unfortunately, the new generation is very keen on getting famous quickly, and some, even though they are conservatory graduates, don’t even consider theatre. It’s a pity.”
View on Work
He believes the script is the most important factor when choosing a project. “The script is the most important factor. Nobody looks at the lead actor anymore. That’s over. The ‘star system’ is finished. The script carries the project. Big names won’t carry it. We have such an audience in front of us now. They have no mercy; the moment they don’t like something, they change the channel. Everyone has to be very careful and do their job well. I look at the text. I examine how much my character serves the text, and how much the text serves the character. Then comes the director. I research them. And of course, the cast. You hope to have actor friends you get along well with. And after that, the production company, of course.”
Career Plan
He has taken part in many important plays at the State Theatres for over 20 years, from ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Salome’ to ‘The Pillowman’ and ‘Keşanlı Ali Destanı’. Theatre is his greatest passion, and he refuses to give up performing his passion on stage, interacting with the audience, despite the tides of change. “My passion, my love, is theatre. I do TV series for the money. My duty at the State Theatre will continue. I don’t think I’ll leave and settle completely in Istanbul. The State Theatres are a very special institution for me; I’ve given my years to it. Maybe after I retire, I might settle in Istanbul completely.”
Productions He Considers Most Important
“‘Yazı Tura’ (Toss-Up). The acting was amazing, especially Uğur Yücel was fantastic. Another one of the most important films of my life is ‘Empire of the Sun.’ I was amazed by John Malkovich’s acting. And, of course, Christian Bale, who was just a little kid there. Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s ‘Bir Zamanlar Anadolu’da’ (Once Upon a Time in Anatolia) is also magnificent. Very naive and very full. Among Turkish actors, I love watching Taner Birsel. There can’t be such a correct and beautiful character actor. He also never does TV series.”
Future Dream
He wants to continue doing theatre and cinema throughout his life. “I don’t know how long I’ll exist in the TV series sector. My biggest dream is to open a small restaurant by the sea in the Aegean region. And I will be the one in the kitchen making the food.”
Directors He Most Wants to Work With
Reha Erdem and Nuri Bilge Ceylan.
Is there a name he thinks would make an interesting duo with him?
Demet Evgar. “I love her energy. She is a very good character actor.”
How He Stays in Shape
If he’s not filming a series, he works out 4-5 days a week and watches his diet. “I started breath therapy. I realized I wasn’t breathing properly and correctly in my life, even though we use diaphragmatic breathing in theatre. And life means breath. Even though it’s only been 2 sessions, I feel my stamina has increased while exercising, and thus my body has relaxed. I recommend it to everyone. I can’t say I eat very healthy and properly. But I try to be careful. It’s a bit difficult when working on set. In my daily life, I eat 2 meals. A late breakfast and a meal towards the evening. Fruits are indispensable for me.”
Who He Admires
“Taner Birsel, Uğur Yücel, and Şener Şen. These three names are actors that every young actor, or rather, every actor, should study, in my opinion.”
What He Does at Home
He loves to cook; he even says, “If I weren’t an actor, I would have been a chef.” “When I was little, I used to do my homework next to my mom when I came home from school. My mom was an amazing cook, and I laid the foundation by watching her. I can make anything, but the best is bulgur pilaf with lamb shank. You can’t buy meat from just anywhere; your butcher must be special. Boil the lamb shank in a pressure cooker with garlic. Don’t throw away the water; you’ll make the bulgur pilaf with it. You place the shank on top of the pilaf before it’s fully cooked. The shank waits while the pilaf cooks. And a shepherd’s salad on the side! Oh, perfect!”
His Must-Have
Music. “I have music in my ears when I’m eating, working out, or memorizing a script. I listen to everything that sounds good. And I love the 80s.”
TELEVISION SERIES
- 2025- Eşref Rüya (Role: Müslüm)
- 2024 Kızıl Goncalar (Role: Abdurrahim Vahit Güneş)
- 2024 Ayak İşleri
- 2023 Hayatımın Neşesi
- 2023 Sen Türkülerini Söyle Özel (Role: Himself)
- 2023 Taçsız Prenses
- 2023 Aktris
- 2022 Kuruluş Osman
- 2021 Dünya Hali
- 2021 Akıncı
- 2021 50m2
- 2020 Rise of Empires: Ottoman
- 2019 Bizi Hatırla (Remember Us)
- 2018 Vatanım Sensin (Wounded Love) (Role: Mehmet Akif Ersoy)
- 2018 Kelebekler (Butterflies)
- 2018 Bir Litre Gözyaşı
- 2016 Rüzgarda Salınan Nilüfer
- 2014 Paramparça (Broken Pieces) (Role: Özkan Gülpınar)
- 2013 Behzat Ç. Ankara Yanıyor
- 2012 Muhteşem Yüzyıl (Magnificent Century)
- 2012 Çıplak Gerçek (Naked Truth)
- 2011 Zenne
- 2011 Reis
- 2011 Behzat Ç. Seni Kalbime Gömdüm
- 2010 Kardelen (Role: Mehmet Güneş)
- 2010 Kapalıçarşı (Grand Bazaar) (Role: Ömür Atay)
- 2009 Deniz Yıldızı (Role: Gürsel Ateş)
- 2008 Bizim Evin Halleri (Role: Samet Polat)
Latest TV Project: “Eşref Rüya” (Role: Müslüm Çermik)
In the series “Eşref Rüya,” Müslüm Çermik, one of the closest figures to Eşref (Çağatay Ulusoy), stands out as the “ağabey” (older brother figure) and eldest member of the group. With a devout and composed background from the East, Müslüm is also a former political Islamist and a veteran who fought in Chechnya. Having joined Eşref’s team through a friend, Müslüm’s greatest desire is to reconcile with his family, who strongly disapproves of his involvement in dark affairs.
Müslüm Çermik’s Character:
- He is the oldest and most experienced member of Eşref’s team.
- He has a composed and respected personality.
- His greatest desire is to reunite with his family.
CINEMA FILMS
- 2018 – Kelebekler (Butterflies) (Role: Cemal)
- 2018 – Bizi Hatırla (Remember Us) (Role: Kaan)
- 2016 – Rüzgarda Salınan Nilüfer (Swaying Waterlily) (Role: Korhan)
- 2014 – Neden Tarkovski Olamıyorum? (Why Can’t I Be Tarkovsky?) (Role: Alp)
- 2013 – Behzat Ç. Ankara Yanıyor (Behzat Ç. Ankara is Burning) (Role: Gorbaçov)
- 2011 – Zenne (Role: Cihan)
- 2011 – Behzat Ç.: Seni Kalbime Gömdüm (Behzat Ç.: I Buried You in My Heart) (Role: Gorbaçov)
- 2011 – Kardelen (Snowdrop) (Role: Photographer)
- 2004– Mustafa Hakkında Herşey (All About Mustafa) (Role: Police)
THEATRE PLAYS
- 2019– Polisler (The Police)
- 2017– Radyo-yu Hümayun (Role: Kenan)
- 2019– Macbeth
- 2011 – Yastık Adam (The Pillowman) / Ankara State Theatre
- 2010 – Üç Yönetmen Üç Oyun (Bekleyiş) / Ankara State Theatre
- 2009 – Don Giovanni ve Uşağı Pulcinella / Ankara State Theatre
- 2006 – Keşanlı Ali Destanı (The Ballad of Ali of Keshan) / Ankara State Theatre
- 2006 – Salome / Ankara State Theatre
- 2005 – Kayıp Toprağın Türküsü / Ankara State Theatre
- 2005 – Aşk-ı Memnu (Forbidden Love) / Ankara State Theatre
- 2004 – Carmela ve Paolino / Adana State Theatre
- 2004 – Fırtına (The Tempest) / Adana State Theatre
- 2004 – Kuru Gürültü (Much Ado About Nothing) / Adana State Theatre
- 2003 – Figaro’nun Düğünü (The Marriage of Figaro) / Adana State Theatre
- 2002 – Cimri (The Miser) / Adana State Theatre
- 2002 – Abdülcambaz / Adana State Theatre
- 2001 – Kızılırmak Karakoyun / Adana State Theatre
- 2001 – Cadı Kazanı (The Crucible) / Adana State Theatre
- 2001 – Bağdat Hatun / Adana State Theatre
- 2000 – Kaçık (The Crazed) / Adana State Theatre
- 2000 – Hırçın Kız (The Taming of the Shrew) / Adana State Theatre
- 1999 – Karar Kimin (Whose Life Is It Anyway?) / Adana State Theatre
- 1998 – V.Frank / Adana State Theatre
- 1998 – Soytarılar (The Clowns) / Adana State Theatre
- 1997 – İkinci Bölüm (Chapter Two) / Adana State Theatre
- 1997 – Harikalar Mutfağı (Kitchen of Wonders) / Adana State Theatre
- 1996 – Türkmen Düğünü / Ankara State Theatre
