Zeki Alasya

Theatre and cinema actor, director (b. 18 April 1943, Istanbul – d. 8 Mayıs 2015, Istanbul). His family migrated from Cyprus to Istanbul. He is nephew of Kıbrıslı Mehmet Kamil Pasha. He was raised in a family environment in which Cypriot folklore was alive. He completed his primary education in Beyazıt Primary School and secondary education in Robert College.

He started his artistic career in 1959 within National Turkish Students Association (MTTB) Theatre as an amateur. He worked as a decorator and guide for a while. He started his professional acting career in 1964-65 in Arena Theatre. Here he acted in plays titled Mister Nato, Kargalar Okulu and Şampanya ve Viski. He became famous with the play Hababam Sınıfı staged in Ulvi Uraz Theatre in the season of 1965-66. He established a group in Gen-Ar Theatre together with Metin Akpınar in 1966. In 1967 he established Devekuşu Cabaret Theatre under the leadership of Haldun Taner, together with Metin Akpınar and Ahmet Gülhan. In 1978, which was the 10^th year of establishment of Devekuşu Cabaret, Haldun Taner and Ahmet Gülhan left the group. Historians state that this group developed a cabaret form sui generis in Turkey.

In the cinema field, he acted between 1973 and 1987 especially in movies produced and directed by Ertem Eğilmez. Aside from 52 movies he acted in, he directed 26 movies. Together with Metin Akpınar they established a duo in Turkish theatre and cinema for more than 30 years.

Some plays he acted in:  Gözlerimi Kaparım Vazifemi Yaparım , Vatan Kurtaran Şaban , Astronot Niyazi, Ha Bu Diyar, Haneler, Keşanlı Ali Destanı, Aşk Olsun, Deliler, Geceler, Yasaklar, Beyoğlu Beyoğlu, Reklâmlar, Dün Bugün…

Some movies and series he played in: Pardon, Kalbin Zamanı, Öteki Türkiye`de Bir Cumhurbaşkanı, Dedem, Gofret ve Ben,Güler Misin Ağlar Mısın?, Adada Bir Sonbahar, Oyunbozan, Güle Güle, Yerim Seni, Tek Kurşun, Şaka Yapma, Garibin Çilesi Ölünce Biter, Vah Başımıza Gelenler, Köşe Kapmaca, Petrol Kralları, Cafer`in Çilesi, Sivri Akıllılar, Salak Milyoner, Yalancı Yarim, Kaynanam Kudurdu, Hamsi Nuri, Karaoğlan Geliyor Çalık, Tarkan Altın Madalyon, Tatlı Dillim,  Sev Kardeşim, Emine.

MOVIES HE DIRECTED:  Aslan Bacanak (1977), Sivri Akıllılar (1977), Petrol Kralları (1978), Doktor (1979), Köşe Kap­maca (1979), Elveda Dostum (1982), Yaz Bitti (1985)

AWARDS: State Artist (T.R. Ministry of Cultural Affairs, 1998), Professional Award (Yıldız Rotary Club, 2008), Theatre Artist of the Year (North Cyprus Turkish Republic Best of the Year), Most Authentic Names of the Year (Kadir Has University, 2008), 32^nd Altın Kelebek TV Stars Contest Awards (Sabah Newspaper, 2007).