Filiz Akın, the legendary actress who defined Turkish cinema in the 1960s and 1970s, has passed away at the age of 82, Turkey’s Health Ministry announced.
Akın died on Saturday while receiving treatment at a hospital in Istanbul. The ministry did not disclose the exact cause of death but described her as “one of the rare gems of Turkish cinema” who left an “unforgettable mark on film history.”
A pioneering figure of Yeşilçam—the golden era of Turkish cinema—Akın was celebrated alongside Türkan Şoray, Hülya Koçyiğit, and Fatma Girik as one of the industry’s four most iconic actresses. Girik passed away in 2022.
Born on January 2, 1943, in Ankara, Akın’s rise to stardom began unexpectedly in 1962 when she submitted a photograph to a magazine beauty contest, encouraged by a friend’s mother. That decision launched a career that would make her one of Turkey’s most beloved screen legends.
Her passing marks the end of an era for Turkish cinema, leaving behind a legacy cherished by generations of film enthusiasts. Akın won the competition and caught the attention of Turkish film producer and director Memduh Un, who introduced her to the film world. She went on to star in more than 200 movies between 1962 and 1975.
She is survived by her husband and a son, Ilker Inanoglu, who is also an actor.
Funeral arrangements were not immediately known.
