Veteran Turkish Actor Zeki Alasya Dies At 72

Well-known theater and movie actor Zeki Alasya has died at the age of 72. According to a statement by the Koç University Hospital, Alasya, who had been under treatment for liver disease at the hospital since April 22, died on May 8.

Alasya was taken to hospital last month and discharged after a short treatment. His daughter, Zeynep Alasya, said the actor was diabetic patient. "We recently celebrated his birthday. He suddenly fell sick" she said before his death.

Born in 1943 in Istanbul, Alasya studied at Robert College and joined the National Turkish Student Union (MTTB) Theatre as an amateur actor. For a short time, he worked at Arena, Gen-Ar and Ulvi Uraz Theater. He founded the Devekuşu Kabare Theater (Ostrich Cabaret Theater) with some of his friends.

From 1973 onwards, he began acting in films and gained fame as the comedic partner of actor Metin Akpınar. Starting in 1977, he also directed many films. In 2011, he was presented with the "Cinema Honorable Award" at the 30th Istanbul Film Festival. - Istanbul