Ufuk Bayraktar is a Turkish film and television actor, as well as a screenwriter and director. Born on September 12, 1981, in Istanbul, Bayraktar entered the film industry at a young age and has taken part in productions across various genres. He began his career as an actor and later expanded his work to include screenwriting and directing. He rose to prominence with the film Kader (Destiny), directed by Zeki Demirkubuz, and has appeared in both independent films and television series.
Life
After completing high school at Gürsoy College, Bayraktar did not pursue university education. Instead, he began working at Cihangir Firuzağa Café, ran by his father, Cevahir Bayraktar. There, in 2003, he was discovered by director Zeki Demirkubuz and made his acting debut in the film Bekleme Odası (The Waiting Room). He gained recognition in 2006 with his role in Kader, earning several awards for his performance.
Bayraktar portrayed the young character of Ramiz Karaeski (Ramiz Dayı) in Ezel, one of the most prominent series in Turkish television history, which aired between 2009 and 2011. This character appeared in scenes that shed light on the past of Ramiz Karaeski, played by Tuncel Kurtiz, and influenced the dramatic structure of the series. Bayraktar's performance in this series made him recognized by television viewers.
Directing and Screenwriting Work
In 2015, Bayraktar made his directorial debut with the film Kümes (The Coop), for which he also wrote the screenplay and played a leading role. The film was inspired by his family, particularly his grandmother, and received awards at several film festivals, including the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival.
Bayraktar also starred in Dayı: Bir Adamın Hikayesi (The Godfather: A Man’s Story, 2021) and its sequel Dayı 2 (2025), both directed by his brother Uğur Bayraktar and based on their family history. In 2024–2025, he played Mihailoğlu Battal Bey in the historical TV series Mehmed: Fetihler Sultanı (Mehmed: Sultan of Conquests), broadcast on TRT 1.
Film and Television Appearances
- Bekleme Odası (The Waiting Room, 2003)
- Kader (Destiny, 2006)
- İklimler (Climates, 2006)
- Yumurta (Egg, 2007)
- Ali’nin Sekiz Günü (Ali’s Eight Days, 2008)
- Girdap (Whirlpool, 2008)
- Ezel (Ezel, 2009–2011) – Young Ramiz Karaeski
- Ayrılık (Separation, 2010)
- Memleket Meselesi (A Matter of Honor, 2010)
- Toprağın Çocukları (Children of the Soil, 2011)
- Dağ (The Mountain, 2012)
- Çanakkale 1915 (Çanakkale 1915, 2012)
- Bu Son Olsun (Just This Once, 2012)
- Kümes (The Coop, 2015)
- Milat (Milat, 2015)
- Sevda Kuşun Kanadında (On the Wings of Love, 2016)
- Dağ II (The Mountain II, 2016)
- Vatanım Sensin (Wounded Love, 2017) – Dağıstanlı
- Miraç (Miraj, 2017)
- Beginner (Beginner, 2017)
- Geçmişteki Sır (Secret from the Past, 2017)
- Benim Babam Bir Kahraman (My Father Is a Hero, 2023)
- Güven Bana (Trust Me, 2023)
- Dayı: Bir Adamın Hikayesi (The Godfather: A Man’s Story, 2021)
- Dayı 2: Bir Adamın Hikayesi (Dayı 2: A Man’s Story, 2025)
- Mehmed: Fetihler Sultanı (Mehmed: Sultan of Conquests, 2024–2025) – Mihailoğlu Battal Bey
Film Directed and Written
- Kümes (The Coop, 2015) – Director, screenwriter, and actor
Awards
- 2006 – 43rd Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival – Behlül Dal Special Jury Award for Young Talent (Kader)
- 2007 – 26th Istanbul Film Festival – Best Actor (Kader)
- 2015 – 3rd Altındefne International Film Festival – Best National Film (Kümes)
- 2015 – 3rd Altındefne International Film Festival – Best National Screenplay (Kümes)
- 2015 – 52nd International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival – Audience Award (Kümes)
