Metin Serezli was a Turkish theater, cinema, and television actor, voice actor, and director. He began his theater career in 1954, performing in numerous plays and directing several productions. He also worked in cinema and television, appearing in various productions and working as a voice actor.

(Metin Serezli - Anadolu Agency)

Life and Education

Metin Serezli was born on January 12, 1934, in Istanbul. He began his education at Atatürk High School and later continued at Istanbul University’s Faculty of Law. After studying law for two years, he transferred to the Journalism Institute and graduated from there. He then pursued education in the Department of Art History at Istanbul University’s Faculty of Literature.

During his student years, he worked as a journalist, writing articles and theater reviews for newspapers such as Vatan and Tan. In addition, he was interested in sports in his youth and played football for three years in Fenerbahçe's youth team.

Theater Career

He started acting in 1954 as an amateur at the Istanbul University Youth Theater. In 1955, he made his professional debut with Papaz Kaçtı, the first play staged by Dormen Theater. He remained with Dormen Theater for 15 years.

Serezli also participated in theater festivals abroad, representing Türkiye as an actor and delegate at theater festivals in Germany, Bristol, and Avignon. At the 1954 Erlangen Theater Festival in Germany, he won third place with the play Yarın Başka Olacak, and in 1955, he won first place with Boş Beşik.

In 1971, he co-founded Çevre Theater with cartoonist and actor Altan Erbulak. He performed in 28 plays and directed five musicals at this theater. In later years, he continued his career with Tiyatro İstanbul.

Serezli was also active in directing, receiving the Best Theater Director award in 1969. In 1998, he won the Best Musical or Comedy Actor of the Year award at the Afife Theater Awards for his role in Bu Filmi Görmüştüm. Over the course of his career, he acted in 69 plays and directed 28.

Cinema and Television Career

In addition to theater, Metin Serezli was actively involved in cinema and television. He started his film career in 1958 and appeared in over 50 films, including Zübük (1980), Sensiz Yıllar (1960), Bozuk Düzem (1965), Son Hıçkırık (1971), Bugünün Saraylısı (1985), and Kavanozdaki Adam (1987).

On television, he appeared in series such as Olacak O Kadar, Sihirli Annem, Ay Işığı, Başrolde Aşk, and Bugünün Saraylısı. He provided the voice for the character Taci in Sihirli Annem.

Personal Life

In 1957, he married actress Nisa Serezli, but the marriage ended in 1966. In 1968, he married Nevra Serezli, with whom he had two sons, Murat (b. 1969) and Selim (b. 1973).

Death

Metin Serezli underwent treatment for lung cancer for a long time and passed away at his home in Istanbul on March 10, 2013, at the age of 79. His funeral was held at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery.

Awards

• 1954 – Third Prize, Erlangen Theater Festival (Germany), for Yarın Başka Olacak
• 1955 – First Prize, Erlangen Theater Festival (Germany), for Boş Beşik
• 1969 – Best Theater Director award
• 1998 – Best Male Actor in a Musical or Comedy at the 2nd Afife Theater Awards for Bu Filmi Görmüştüm
• Awards from Avni Dilligil, Afife Jale, University Union, İsmail Dümbüllü, Rotary, and Lions organizations

Selected Filmography

• Sensiz Yıllar (1960)
• Bozuk Düzem (1965)
• Son Hıçkırık (1971)
• Hayat Sevince Güzel (1971)
• Zübük (1980)
• Bugünün Saraylısı (1985)
• Kavanozdaki Adam (1987)
• Sihirli Annem (2003-2011)
• Ay Işığı (2008)
• Başrolde Aşk (2011)

Selected Theater Plays

• Papaz Kaçtı (1955)
• Müfettiş (1959)
• Sokak Kızı İrma (1961)
• Puntila Ağa ile Uşağı Matti (1965)
• Paramparça (1966)
• Komik Para (1995)
• Bu Filmi Görmüştüm (1998)
• Çılgın Hafta Sonu (2001)
• Kaçamak (2004)
• Kim O (2008)