Image Courtesy: Google Doodle
Sadri Alışık (5 April 1925 – 18 March 1995) was a Turkish stage and movie actor, and one of the most loved comedians in Turkey. The doodle was illustrated by Turkey-based guest artist Sedat Girgin.
Life and Career
Sadri Alışık was born on 5 April 1925, in Istanbul, Turkey.
He fell in love with the performing arts at 7 years old after attending a local play. To hide his dramatic ambitions from his father, who disapproved of acting as a career, Alışık enrolled in a university painting program post-high school to disguise the time he spent acting in various Istanbul theatres.
Alışık’s clandestine devotion soon paid off, debuting on the silver screen in the 1944 film “Günahsizlar” (“The Innocent Ones”). His film success led to decades of serious performances in historical and crime dramas before he showcased his dynamic acting skills in comedy. In 1963, he brought Tourist Ömer to life. A comedic and relatable portrayal of an everyday Turkish gentleman, Tourist Ömer was a smash hit that starred in eight movies, an iconic run that came to a sci-fi end in 1974 with “Ömer the Tourist in Star Trek.”
Outside of his more than 200 film and television appearances, Alışık loved to paint, sing Turkish classical music, and write poetry. He bid farewell to entertainment with his role in “Yengeç Sepeti” (“Crab Basket”), his 1994 cinematic swan song for which the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival awarded him Best Actor. Today, his legacy lives on in acting studios founded in Istanbul and Ankara, both named in his honor.
Sadri Alışık passed away on 18 March 1995, in Istanbul, Turkey, at the age of 61. He is still remembered as one of Turkey’s most beloved actors and is considered a cultural icon in the country.
Award and Legacy
Sadri Alışık’s talent and contribution to Turkish cinema and theater have been recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout his career. He won the Best Actor award at the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival twice, in 1968 for his role in “Gelin Damat” and in 1970 for his role in “Yalancı Yarim.” He was also awarded the honorary title of State Artist by the Turkish government in 1984.
In addition to these awards, Sadri Alışık’s legacy continues to be celebrated in Turkey. The Sadri Alışık Cultural Center in Istanbul was established in his memory, and the Sadri Alışık Theater Festival has been held annually since 1988. The Turkish cinema industry also honors him by presenting the “Sadri Alışık Best Actor” award at the Sadri Alışık Awards Ceremony, which has been held annually since 1995.
Sadri Alışık is remembered for his unique talent, versatility, and dedication to his craft. His contributions to Turkish cinema and theater have had a lasting impact, and he is still regarded as one of Turkey’s most beloved and respected actors.
On 5 April 2023, Google celebrated Sadri Alışık’s 96th birthday with a doodle.