Gürkan Uygun is a Turkish theatre, film, and television actor. He was born on May 27, 1974, in İzmit, Turkey, into a family of Georgian descent. He developed an interest in theatre during high school and began his artistic career in 1990 with amateur theatre. After receiving formal training at the Theatre Department of the Istanbul University State Conservatory, he started acting at the Dormen Theatre. Uygun made his television debut in 1994 and became widely recognized for his portrayal of Memati Baş in the TV series Valley of the Wolves, which began airing in 2003.
Early Career and Theatre Work
Uygun began his professional acting career in the theatre, first appearing in the play Muhteşem İkili in 1994. He took part in productions at Dormen Theatre and Oyun Atölyesi, such as Arapsaçı, Komik Para, and Timon of Athens. During this period, he learned core theatrical values such as discipline and backstage etiquette from prominent figures in Turkish theatre.
Television Career
His television career began with a small role in Kaygısızlar in 1994. He went on to appear in Tatlı Kaçıklar, Böyle Mi Olacaktı, Yedi Numara, Deli Yürek, and Şapkadan Babam Çıktı. Uygun's breakthrough role came in 2003 with Valley of the Wolves, where he portrayed Memati Baş, a role he continued for about a decade in its various adaptations and film versions (Valley of the Wolves: Iraq, Palestine).
He later portrayed the architect Mimar Sinan in Magnificent Century and starred as Serhat Hakeri in Kaçak (2013–2015). Other notable roles include Kehribar (2016), Bu Şehir Arkandan Gelecek (2016–2017), and Payitaht Abdülhamid (2018–2020) as Halil Halid Bey. In Awakening: Great Seljuks (2020), he acted Hasan Sabbah. Between 2021 and 2023, he portrayed Yıldırım Koral / Hasan Atmaca (codename: Efkar) in Teşkilat. In 2024, he acted Kürşat Kilimci in Bir Gece Masalı and later appeared in Şehrazad as the father of the titular character.
Film Career
Gürkan Uygun's film career began with Fasulye in 1999. He appeared in Valley of the Wolves: Iraq and Valley of the Wolves: Palestine, as well as in films such as Tamam mıyız?, Whisper If I Forget, The Mountain II, Deliormanlı, The Ottoman Lieutenant, and Cep Herkülü: Naim Süleymanoğlu. He has shown a preference for historical productions and acted in Çanakkale: End of the Road and Somuncu Baba: The Secret of Love.
Acting Approach and Character Preparation
Uygun emphasizes the importance of vocal control in acting and prepares for roles, especially historical or intense characters, by conducting detailed research. He has cited drawing inspiration from birds of prey for mimicking facial expressions of aggressive roles. Despite frequently playing violent or stern characters, he maintains a reconciliatory personality in private life.
Personal Life
Gürkan Uygun married Şebnem Ceylan in 2008. The couple has two children, Mihriban Balım and Ateş. He has a strong interest in music, collects vinyl records, and is learning to play the clarinet.
TV Series
- The Carefree Ones
- Sweet Crazies
- Was It Going to Be Like This?
- Number Seven
- Crazy Heart
- My Father Came Out of the Hat
- Valley of the Wolves / Valley of the Wolves: Ambush / Valley of the Wolves: Terror
- Magnificent Century
- The Fugitive
- Amber
- This City Will Follow You
- The Last Emperor: Abdulhamid
- Awakening: The Great Seljuks
- The Agency
- A Night's Tale
- Scheherazade
Films
- Bean
- Valley of the Wolves: Iraq
- Valley of the Wolves: Palestine
- Are We OK?
- Çanakkale: End of the Road
- Whisper If I Forget
- The Byzantine Games: Game of Bizans
- Full Throttle
- Full Throttle 2
- The Mad Woodsman
- Somuncu Baba: The Secret of Love
- Pocket Hercules: Naim Süleymanoğlu
- I Will Find You, Son!
- Peace with Life
- Temel: The Sumela Code Revisited
Awards
- 2005: Best Supporting Actor (Crime Drama) – 1st White Pearl TV Awards (Valley of the Wolves)
