Fikret Hakan

Fikret Hakan, originally named Bumin Gaffar Çitanak, was a distinguished Turkish film actor born on April 23, 1934, in Balıkesir. He was the son of a literature teacher, Gaffar, and a head nurse, Fatma Belkıs. In his teenage years, he relocated to Istanbul with his family and attended Galatasaray High School, where he began nurturing his artistic aspirations.

Hakan’s acting career took off in 1950 at the Ses Theatre, where he also contributed to various literary magazines. His cinematic journey started with a short comedy, "Evli mi bekar mı," directed by Muhsin Ertugrul in 1951, followed by his first feature film, "Köprüaltı Çocukları" (Kids Under the Bridge), in 1953. Over the years, he became a prominent figure in Turkish cinema, amassing over 170 film credits, particularly flourishing during the 1950s and 1960s.

Among his notable works is the film "Yılanların Öcü" (Revenge of the Snakes) from 1962. He also shared the screen with international stars such as Tony Curtis and Charles Bronson in the 1970 film "You Can't Win 'Em All," directed by Peter Collinson.

Hakan's personal life included four marriages to Lale Sarı, Semiramis Pekkan, Neşecan Paşmak, and Hümeyra, and he fathered an extramarital daughter, Elif Hakan. He passed away on July 11, 2017, due to lung cancer, and was laid to rest at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery after a memorial service at Istanbul University. He was honored with the title of State Artist for his contributions to Turkish arts.