Haluk Bilginer

Haluk Bilginer, a Turkish actor, is renowned for his remarkable role in Şahsiyet (2018), for which he won the Best Actor award at the 47th International Emmy Awards. His film Kış Uykusu claimed the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Bilginer, who started his acting career in the United Kingdom, is highly recognized for his role as Mehmet Osman in the soap opera EastEnders. He is often featured in Hollywood movies and usually performs villainous and unsympathetic characters. Born in İzmir, Turkey, he attended the Ankara State Conservatory and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. His debut role was in the long-running UK soap opera EastEnders. He was described as the "Terrible Turk" and was one of the most popular male cast members, receiving ample fan mail. Upon leaving EastEnders, Bilginer delved into musical theatre. After a stint in television and cinema to raise funds for a theatre destroyed by fire, he returned to the stage. His most notable role was in Tatlı Hayat, a remake of The Jeffersons. Bilginer's portrayal in the film Polis is one of his most critically acclaimed performances to date. He enjoys working with screenwriter and director Onur Ünlü and has declared his willingness to work in any of Ünlü's films. Bilginer has also played Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in an İş Bank commercial and appeared in the American thriller The International.