Şemsi İnkaya was born on 13 June 1939 in Istanbul. He began his career with the Youth Theatre of the Student Union at Istanbul University and gained his first experience in the play titled “Pabuççu Ahmet”. His initial steps in acting established him as a prominent figure in cinema and television in the following years.

During the Yeşilçam era, İnkaya frequently played supporting roles and attracted attention with his portrayal of the character Terzi Cemal in the 1980 film Zübük. He also appeared in other productions of the same period including Gırgıriye (1981), Görgüsüzler (1982), and Yosma (1984). In the later stages of his career, he took on roles in diverse productions such as Talih Kuşu (1989), Islak Mendil (1990), Türkan (2010), and Asasız Musa (2014).

Şemsi İnkaya as Vahap Kuzuzade in the series Kurtlar Vadisi Pusu -IMDb

The character of Halil, portrayed by İnkaya in the series Üvey Baba, which began broadcasting in 1998, brought him widespread recognition among television audiences. He also appeared in other television series such as Canan (2011), Ben Onu Çok Sevdim (2013), Kertenkele (2014–2015), Kurtlar Vadisi Pusu (2015), and Muhteşem Yüzyıl: Kösem (2015). In Ben Onu Çok Sevdim, he portrayed İsmet İnönü.

In 2015, İnkaya traveled to the United States to pursue new artistic experiences and further develop his acting skills. In an interview that year, he emphasized his dedication to the stage by revealing that he had kept the costume of a character he portrayed in theatre at his home for four years.

In his personal life, he had a son named Ozan from his marriage to theatre artist Ayten Erman; later, he had another son named Cenk from his second marriage.

Filmography

Cinema Films

- Zübük (1980)

- Gırgıriye (1981)

- Görgüsüzler (1982)

- Yosma (1984)

- Kıskıvrak (1986)

- Talih Kuşu (1989)

- Islak Mendil (1990)

- Governor (2009)

- Türkan (2010)

- Asasız Musa (2014)

- Coup (2015)

Television Series

- Üvey Baba (1998)

- Canan (2011)

- Ben Onu Çok Sevdim (2013)

- Kertenkele (2014–2015)

- Kurtlar Vadisi Pusu (2015)

- Muhteşem Yüzyıl: Kösem (2015)