The funeral for acclaimed Turkish actor Zihni Göktay, whose distinctive style and decadeslong career onstage, film and television made him a household name, will be held Tuesday in Istanbul. He was 81.
A memorial ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) City Theaters Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage. Following the ceremony, his body will be taken to the Şakirin Mosque for funeral prayers after the noon prayer. He will be buried at Karacaahmet Cemetery.
Göktay was widely known for his long-running performances in classic productions, most notably “Lüküs Hayat,” which brought him broad public recognition. He was regarded as one of the prominent figures in Turkish theater, particularly within the City Theaters institution, where he worked for many years.
Throughout his career, Göktay appeared in numerous theater productions, films and television series. Colleagues and audiences often praised his disciplined work ethic and deep commitment to the stage.
Born Dec. 2, 1945, in Istanbul’s Fatih district, Göktay began his involvement in theater during his school years, attending amateur performances with his father and participating in school plays. He later studied at Pertevniyal High School and became active in student and community theater groups during the early stages of his career.
