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Kemal SunalTurkish actor-comedian.
Date of Birth: 11.11.1944
Country:  Turkey |
Content:
Biography of Kemal Sunal
Turkish Actor-ComedianEarly Life and Education
Kemal Sunal, a Turkish actor-comedian, was born in Kucukpazar, a district of Istanbul. He received his education at the Vefa High School.
Career
Kemal Sunal began his creative career at the "Kentler" theater, where he played his first role in the play "Zoraki Takip" (Pursuer). After working for a year at the "Kentler" theater, he joined the "Devkusu Kabare" theater. In 1973, director Ertum Eilmaz invited Kemal to act in his film "Tatli Dillim" (My Sweet Interlocutor). Kemal's acting talent did not go unnoticed, and he was constantly invited to play in new films. He was offered roles alongside renowned actors of the old school, such as Halit Akcatepe, Sener Sen, and Munir Ozkul. However, one of his most notable roles was the role of the simple and naive Inek Saban (translated as Cowherd Saban), a student in the "Hababam Sinifi" (The Chaos Class) series. The story of the chaos class was filmed in four parts based on the novel of the same name by Rifat Ilgaz. Kemal, nicknamed Inek Saban (later just Saban), became a beloved actor-comedian throughout Turkey.
Notable Roles
In addition to his role as Saban, Kemal Sunal portrayed other memorable characters such as a mute sailor in the film "Sut Kardes" (Milk Brothers), a foolish garbage collector in "Kapicilar Krali" (The Doorman King), a janitor pretending to be a doctor upon returning to his native village in the comedy "My Favorite Doctor," and a naive man trying to become an athlete to impress his love interest in the film "Orta Direk Saban" (Saban from the Middle Class). Apart from the unrestrained humor born from his performances, one of the main reasons for his popularity was the portrayal of the problems faced by the impoverished people of Turkey in the 70s and 80s. In almost all of his films, Kemal portrayed a poor individual. He found ways to help homeless paupers build homes, rid their villages of hooligans, and outwit cunning wealthy individuals, thieves, and robbers. Furthermore, his films vividly revealed the everyday life and culture of the ordinary Turkish people, showcasing their complex yet simple character. In Kemal's films, one could take a lighthearted look at this energetic, temperamental, but also warm-hearted, friendly, and hospitable community.
Final Film and Personal Life
Kemal Sunal's last film was "Propaganda," directed by the renowned filmmaker Sinan Cetin. In this film, Kemal played the role of a customs official at the border with Syria. As a drama, this film was a departure from his previous comedic works. As the plot unfolds, the film's protagonist becomes torn between his professional duty and personal friendship, leading to doubt and dilemma. Notably, Kemal's son Ali Sunal played the role of a junior customs inspector in this film. Kemal Sunal led a modest and honorable life. His personal and family life remained private and away from the yellow press. He rarely appeared in public. People who knew him always spoke of him as a very serious and profound individual.
At the peak of his career, Kemal decided to complete his university education, which he had to leave behind at the beginning of his professional journey. Despite his fame, he attended university like an ordinary student and believed that "this is the way he wanted it to be." However, his dreams of higher education were shattered in 1980 when he was called for military service. Finally, in 1995, he earned a bachelor's degree in Film, Radio, and Television from Marmara University. Kemal continued his studies and in 1998, Marmara University awarded him a Master's degree in the same field. This incident received significant media attention, with headlines and program titles proclaiming "Inek Saban Gets a Master's Degree." His "classmates" from the chaos class commented, "We demand professionalism." During the graduation ceremony, he joked that it is better to start life with work and then pursue education because such a choice allows one to gain real-life experience initially.
Kemal Sunal married Gul Sunal in 1974, and they had two children, Ali and Ezo Sunal.
On July 3, 2000, the great actor passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack aboard a plane about to land in Trabzon. It was rumored that he had a fear of flying. The news of his death shocked Turkey and plunged the entire nation into deep mourning.
