Gülşen Bubikoğlu, born on 5 December 1954 in Istanbul, is a Turkish actress renowned for her leading roles in Yeşilçam films during the 1970s and 1980s. She made her cinematic debut with the film Yaban (1973) and has appeared in various drama, comedy and television projects.

Life and Education

Gülşen Bubikoğlu, born on 5 December 1954 in Istanbul, is 71 years old as of 2025 and is a Sagittarius. After completing her education at Fatih Girls’ High School, she attended language, modeling and dance classes at the L.C.C. Culture Center for one year.

Career

In 1973, Bubikoğlu participated in the traditional artist selection competition organized by the magazine Ses and attracted attention from the initial rounds. Prominent production companies of the era—including Erler Film’s Türker İnanoğlu, Arzu Film’s Ertem Eğilmez and Akün Film’s İrfan Ünal—expressed interest in working with her. Although Necla Nazır won the competition, Bubikoğlu soon entered Yeşilçam cinema with the film Yaban, produced by Türker İnanoğlu.

In 1974, Bubikoğlu married producer Türker İnanoğlu. Their daughter, Zeynep İnanoğlu, was born on 28 December 1977. The artist also appeared in international projects, taking roles in films such as Baş Belası, Üçkağıtçılar and Mücevher Hırsızları alongside Italian collaborators.

Bubikoğlu gained widespread acclaim for her portrayal of the character Gülliye in the Gırgıriye film series, which began in 1981. She became unforgettable through its sequels: Gırgıriyede Şenlik Var, Gırgıriyede Cümbüş Var and Gırgıriyede Büyük Seçim. Her sister, Nilgün Bubikoğlu, is also an actress.

Her most recent film role was in 1990 in Madde 438, directed by Ümit Efekan. Subsequently, in 1994 she shared the lead role with Cüneyt Arkın in the television series Zirvedekiler, directed by Halit Refiğ. In 1998, she portrayed an idealistic teacher in another Halit Refiğ production, the TV series Affet Hocam.

Cüneyt Arkın and Gülşen Bubikoğlu in the film Üç Kağıtçılar (1975) (IMDb)

Awards

Gülşen Bubikoğlu’s awards include:

• Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival
• • 1975: Awarded for the film Ah Nerede.
  • 1988: Honored as Best Actress for the film Kurtar Beni.
  • 2010: Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Turkish Cinema Writers Association (SİYAD) Awards
• • 2005: Honorary Award.
• 28th Flying Broom International Women’s Film Festival
• • 2025: Flying Broom Honorary Award.

Notable Films

• Gırgıriye series
• Ölmeyen Şarkı
• Kördüğüm
• Paramparça
• Affet Bizi Hocam
• Zirvedekiler
• Suçlu
• Madde 438
• Dehşet Gecesi
• Kızım ve Ben
• Kurtar Beni

About the Gırgıriye Series

The story follows a Romani woman living in a shantytown who earns her livelihood by selling scrap metal and strives to win back her lover, who works for a pavilion owner in the city. However, over time, the woman resists the pavilion owner, drawn by her longing for her past and her roots.

This narrative is one of the films in which Gülşen Bubikoğlu appeared and represents her work in addressing social themes and portraying strong female characters. In the film, Bubikoğlu, alongside figures such as Müjdat Gezen and Münir Özkul, brought to life the emotional conflicts and arduous struggles of her character.

Director: Kartal Tibet

Screenplay: Müjdat Gezen, Sadık Şendil

Cast: Müjdat Gezen, Gülşen Bubikoğlu, Münir Özkul

Poster of the film Gırgıriye (IMDb)