Ahmet Levendoğlu Passed Away
Ahmet Levendoğlu, the well-known Turkish theater actor, director, translator, and writer, has passed away at the age of 80.
The news of this great artist’s passing was announced through the official social media accounts of the State Theaters of Turkey. The statement read:
We have lost one of the main pillars of Turkish theater, the actor, director, theater educator, translator, and writer, Ahmet Levendoğlu.
After studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in England, he began a long and fruitful professional life in the field of theater. Over the years, he directed and acted in many productions, translated numerous theatrical texts, and wrote many articles.
Ahmet Levendoğlu was the son of Tarık Levendoğlu, who played a significant role alongside Muhsin Ertuğrul in the founding of the state theaters. Through his initiative in launching "Tiyatro Stüdyosu", he pursued innovative theatrical experiences alongside mainstream theater activities and played an important role in training many theater artists.
Between 1971 and 1976, he worked as an actor at the Ankara State Theater, and during the founding of the Istanbul State Theater, he served as deputy director, and later, between 1978 and 1980, he worked as both actor and director.
The funeral ceremony of Ahmet Levendoğlu will be held on Tuesday, April 8, at 11:00 AM in the theater hall of the Atatürk Cultural Center, and his body will be buried in the Zincirlikuyu Cemetery.
Condolences from the Art Community
The Actors' Union of Turkey also published a statement on its official account, saying:
With deep sorrow, we have received the news of the passing of our dear colleague and esteemed teacher Ahmet Levendoğlu. We wish patience and strength to his family and all his loved ones. Our condolences to everyone.
Prominent figures in Turkish theater and art also expressed their sorrow through messages:
- Nevra Serezli: Losing my classmate from Robert College, Ahmet Levendoğlu, is very painful for me. My condolences.
- Gülsin Onay: Such sad news... The father of my dear friend Eren, a great master of our theater world—may God have mercy on him and grant him paradise.
- Zuhal Olcay: My dear teacher Ahmet Levendoğlu... Rest in peace.
- Yıldıray Şahinler: My great teacher, Ahmet Hocam... He had a huge impact on me, gave actors great confidence on stage, and was a living symbol of the word "principle". Rest in peace and forgive us.
- Emre Altuğ: May your soul rest in heaven, teacher.
- Ceyda Düvenci: The great ones are leaving one by one...
About Ahmet Levendoğlu
Ahmet Levendoğlu was born in Istanbul in 1945. His father, Tarık Levendoğlu, was a set and costume teacher and technical director at Tatbikat Sahnesi, an institution affiliated with the state theaters that trained students.
After graduating from Robert College, Ahmet received a scholarship and studied in the theater department at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in England, graduating in 1969.
Throughout his artistic life, he appeared in many stage productions as an actor, directed numerous plays, and translated a great number of theatrical texts. In addition, he acted in 11 feature films.
