Ayşen Gruda was born in 1944 in the Yeşilköy neighborhood of Istanbul as the middle daughter of the Erman family. The house where she was born is known as a pavilion that served as an Ottoman headquarters and was also used by prominent Turkish literary figure Halid Ziya Uşaklıgil for writing his works. Growing up in a family deeply immersed in the arts, Ayşen Erman’s mother was a theater artist, and Ayşen spent her childhood watching shadow plays performed by her mother alongside her sisters Ayten Erman and Ayben Erman. Her acting talent was noticed and encouraged by her family at an early age when she imitated Armenian neighbors. However, this artistic environment within the family was disrupted at an early stage; after the death of her father, a machine operator, the family faced financial hardship, leading Ayşen Gruda to leave high school and enter the workforce at a young age.

Ayşen Gruda (Anadolu Agency)

Career Beginnings and Theater Life

Despite having no formal academic theater training, the artist began her professional acting career at the age of fourteen. Her first stage experience was with Tevfik Bilge’s touring theater company, where she portrayed a minor servant character in the vaudeville "Kongre Eğleniyor".^【1】 Throughout the years spent on the theater stage, she developed her craft and established a solid foundation in the field.

In 1965, while working at Ankara Meydan Sahnesi, she met and married theater artist Yılmaz Gruda; they had a daughter whom they named Elvan. Due to her daughter’s birth, she temporarily stepped away from her stage career. However, even after divorcing Yılmaz Gruda in 1976, she continued to use the surname Gruda as her stage name.^【2】

Throughout her career, the artist embraced the identity of a comedienne and emphasized that a comedian does not need to play only leading roles but can also shine in supporting or secondary roles, with the true goal being to leave a lasting impression on the audience through the character portrayed. As an actress emerging from Arzu Film, one of Yeşilçam’s established production houses, she consistently stressed on various platforms that discipline, full commitment to the script, and strict adherence to set rules were her top priorities.^【3】

Some Theater Plays She Appeared In

• Dün Gece Yolda Giderken Çok Tuhaf Bir şey oldu
• Hisseli Harikalar Kumpanyası - Haldun Dormen
• Papaz Kaçtı - Philip King
• Bizim Sınıf - Ferhan Şensoy
• Yedi Kocalı Hürmüz - Sadık Şendil
• Hababam Sınıfı Müzikali - Rıfat Ilgaz
• Deve Kuşu Kabare - Haldun Taner
• Mum Söndü - Musahipzade Celal
• Ah Evlendim Vah Evlenemedim

Cinema Career and the “Domates Güzeli” Phenomenon

The character "Domates Güzeli Nahide Şerbet", portrayed by the artist in a 1977 television sketch, was warmly received by audiences and became a cultural phenomenon. The popularity generated by this character led to the artist being permanently referred to in Turkish cinema and theater as "Domates Güzeli" in the years that followed. Gruda was also known by titles such as "Yeşilçam’s Female Kavuklu".^【4】

She appeared in many classic comedies of Yeşilçam, particularly those produced by Arzu Film under the direction of Ertem Eğilmez. Her filmography includes roles in 1974’s Hababam Sınıfı (as a quiz show host), 1975’s Bizim Aile and Hanzo, 1976’s Aile Şerefi, Süt Kardeşler, and Tosun Paşa, 1977’s Çöpçüler Kralı, Gülen Gözler, and Şabanoğlu Şaban, and 1978’s Avanak Apti and Neşeli Günler, all of which have become landmarks in Turkish cinema history. The artist remained active on the big screen in later years, appearing in films such as the 2014 Pek Yakında and television series such as the 2012 Leyla ile Mecnun.

Films and Series

1966

• Ve Silahlara Veda (Film)

1975

• Cevriye (Bitirimler Sınıfı)
• Bir Araya Gelemeyiz (Neriman Kıraç)
• Bizim Aile / Merhaba (Feride)
• Delisin (Şaziment)
• Gariban Şakir
• Hababam Sınıfı (Quiz Show Host)
• Hanzo (Feride)
• Televizyon Çocuğu (Recep’s Wife)
• Vay Anasına (Film)

1976

• Aile Şerefi (Ayşe)
• Arabacının Aşkı (Nahide Şerbet)
• Gülşah Küçük Anne (Ebe Hanife)
• Güngörmüşler (Servant Fatoş)
• Süt Kardeşler (Emine)
• Tosun Paşa (Zekiye)
• Öyle Olsun (Ayşe Huyugüzel)
• Ah Dede Vah Dede (Alev Sururi voice)

1977

• Gülen Gözler (Fikret)
• Hababam Sınıfı Tatilde (Ayşe)
• Sarmaş Dolaş (Müjgan)
• Seyahatname (TV Series)
• Çöpçüler Kralı (Hacer)
• İbo ile Güllüşah (Nazlı)
• Şabanoğlu Şaban (Safinaz)

1978

• Neşeli Günler (Nilgün)
• Avanak Apti (Nevin Şenses)
• Doktor (Nurse Sabahat)

1979

• Şark Bülbülü (Fethi’s Sister)
• Doktor (Nurse Sabahat)

1980

• Yedi Kocalı Hürmüz (TV Series)
• Renkli Dünya (Ayşe Güngören)

1981

• Gırgıriye (Sevim)
• Gırgıriyede Şenlik Var (Sevim)
• Hababam Sınıfı Güle Güle (Melahat)
• Davaro (Ayşo)

1982

• Adile Teyze (Ayşe)
• Buyurun Cümbüşe (Zehra)
• Doktor Civanım (Şadiye)
• Dolap Beygiri (Hacer)
• Görgüsüzler (Ayşegül)
• Çiçek Abbas (Şükriye)
• Şıngırdak Şadiye (Dilber)

1983

• Şekerpare (Peyker)
• Gırgıriyede Büyük Seçim (Sevim)
• Neşeli Kuklalar (Video)

1984

• Kızlar Sınıfı (Ayten Hoca)
• Lodos Zühtü (Selma)
• Namuslu (Naciye)

1985

• Aşık Oldum (İnci)
• Bir İlkbahar Sabahı (Video)
• Deliye Her Gün Bayram (Ayşe)
• Fakir Milyoner (Fehamet)
• Gazino Bülbülü (Fatma)
• Köşeyi Dönenler
• Kızlar Sınıfı Yarışıyor
• Mavi Muammer 2
• Sarı Öküz Parası
• Uyanıklar Dünyası (Ayşe)
• Yeter Be (Fatma)
• Çileli Damat (Gül’s Mother)
• Şendul Şaban (Ayşen)

1986

• Ağa Bacı (Kadırgalı Leyla)
• Hayroş
• Huysuz
• Karım Beni Aldatırsa (Zuhal)
• Kiralık Ev (Ayşe)
• Kocamın Nişanlısı (Seher)
• Lotto Kralı (Ayşe)
• Mavi Muammer 3
• Neşeye Bak Neşeye
• Olacak O Kadar (TV Series)
• Televizyon Filmleri pek çok (Video works)
• Yaygara 86

1987

• Aile Pansiyonu (Hacer)
• Etme Bulma
• Gönlü Bol (Emine)
• Çantada Keklik
• Şam Fıstık (Safinaz)
• Seyyar Kamil (Gülbahar)

1988

• Süper Baba (Edalı) (Video)
• Hisseli Harikalar Kumpanyası (Princess Mehtap)

1989

• Güzel Bir Gün İçin (TV Film)

1990

• Bir Milyara Bir Çocuk (TV Series)

1991

• Ana (Ana)

1993

• Üçüzler (Aynur)
• Rumuz Sev Beni (Zekiye)
• İnsanlık Hali

1994

• Kaygısızlar (Sabriye)
• Kızlar Sınıfı (TV)
• İnce İnce Yasemince
• Şenlik Var
• Peri Masalı

1995

• Palavra Aşklar

1996

• Mesela Dedik

1997

• Ana Kuzusu (Cevriye Hanım)
• İlişkiler (Seher)
• Hayvanlara Dokunduk

1998

• Salacak Öyküleri

1999

• Evimiz Olacak mı? (Zevahir)

2000

• Bana Babamı Anlat
• Tersine Dünya
• Yarı Şaka Yarı Ciddi

2001

• Çılgın Bediş (History Teacher)

2003

• Yeşilçam Denizi (Domates Güzeli)
• Sultan Makamı (Dursun)
• Hababam Sınıfı: Merhaba (Ayşe Hanım)

2004

• Cennet Mahallesi (Hatice)
• Çemberimde Gül Oya (Guest Actress)
• Perili Ev (Latife)
• Dayı (Muazzez)

2005

• Güz Yangını (Rukiye)
• Keloğlan Kara Prens’e Karşı (Sultan)
• Sen Misin Değil Misin (Leman)
• Çılgın Yuva (Güllü)
• Ömer Seyfettin TV Films (Aunt/Grandmother)

2006

• Dünyayı Kurtaran Adamın Oğlu (Safiye Ana)
• Fırtına (Feraye)
• İki Aile (Rukiye)
• İlk Aşk (Hatice Teyze)

2007

• Fesupanallah (Yüksel Teyze)
• Cumhur Cemaat

2008

• Kötüler Konağı (Emine)
• Mert ile Gert (Servet Hala)
• Gece Gündüz (Hayriye)
• Kağıt (Şahane Hanım)
• Peri Masalı (Müzeyyen)
• Sevgili Düşmanım

2009

• Aile Reisi (Domates Güzeli)
• Zoraki Başkan (Sebahat)

2010

• Gecekondu (Herself)
• Kukuriku - Kadın Krallığı

2011

• Ya Sonra (Safiye Hanım)
• Pazarları Hiç Sevmem (Fevziye)
• Huzurum Kalmadı (Hanım Ağa Dilber)

2012

• Krem
• İbret-i Ailem
• Leyla ile Mecnun (Hidayet’s Mother)

2013

• Çılgın Dersane Üniversitede (Nevra)
• Meleklerin Mucizesi
• Çakma Hayat
• Bebek İşi (Hayriye)

2014

• Pek Yakında (Remziye)
• Seni Seviyorum Adamım (Grandmother)
• Ruhumun Aynası (Mehpare)

2015

• Beş Kardeş (Mukadder)
• Kötü Kedi Şerafettin – Hasene (voice)
• Güvercin Uçuverdi (Hamiyet Taşkın)
• Sucu Kamil (Sevgi)
• İlişki Durumu: Karışık (Kudret)

2016

• Dedemin Fişi (Darende Teyze)
• Mahrumlar (Nefize Teyze)

2017

• Bizim Hikâye (Yedi Bela Aysel)

2018

• Babamın Ceketi (Ayşen)
• Sevgili Komşum

Awards and Artistic Philosophy

Ayşen Gruda, over her long and successful artistic career, received numerous awards and honors for her performances in both comedic and dramatic roles. In 2006, she won the “Best Supporting Actress Award” at the Sadri Alışık Cinema Awards for her role in the film Why Was Hacivat Killed?. In the same year, she was honored with an Honorary Award by the Turkish Cinema Writers Association (SİYAD) for her career and contributions to cinema.

The 2010 film Kağıt earned her the “Best Supporting Actress Award” at the International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, a distinction followed in 2011 by the “Special Jury Prize” at the Nuremberg Film Festival. In 2012, the artist received the “Honorary Award” from the Istanbul Film Festival, and in 2015, at the 52nd International Antalya Film Festival, she was awarded the “Lifetime Honorary Award” in recognition of her lifelong dedication to Turkish cinema. In the year of her death, 2019, she was posthumously honored with the “Special Jury Award” at the Sadri Alışık Cinema Awards.^【5】

Ayşen Gruda Buried After Her Final Journey (Anadolu Agency)

Death

In the final years of her life, Ayşen Gruda struggled with serious health issues. She underwent long-term treatment for pancreatic cancer, which later spread to her liver. In her final days, she was admitted to a hospital in Istanbul due to a stomach bleeding complaint and placed in intensive care. Her condition worsened due to respiratory failure that developed during treatment.

Ayşen Gruda passed away on January 23, 2019, at the age of 74, in the hospital where she was receiving treatment. After her death, her daughter revealed that her mother had left a will stating, “The Turkish people know how to bury me; I do not want an official ceremony.”^【6】 Ayşen Gruda’s funeral was held on Friday, January 25, 2019, at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery, with a ceremony attended by many loved ones and prominent figures from the artistic community.