Who is Onur Saylak?
TURKISH ACTORS & ACTRESSES
2/2/20252 min read


Onur Saylak is a renowned Turkish actor, director, producer, and academic. In addition to his artistic career, he serves as a lecturer in Film and Drama at Kadir Has University. Born on May 12, 1977, in Ankara, Turkey, Saylak stands 180 cm tall and weighs 77 kg. His full name is Arif Onur Saylak.
Early Life and Education
Saylak pursued higher education in multiple disciplines before fully committing to acting. He initially enrolled in the Physics Department at Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ), later transferring to Ankara University's Faculty of Political Science to study Public Administration. However, his true passion lay in acting, and he eventually joined Bilkent University’s Theatre Department. His early theatre experiences included performances at Ankara State Theatre and Bilkent Theatre, where he played roles in productions such as Getto and The Threepenny Opera, as well as Her Şeye Rağmen by Nazım Hikmet.
Career in Theatre and Television
Saylak's journey in the entertainment industry began in theatre, where he not only performed but also wrote song lyrics for various stage productions. In 2003, he gained initial media exposure by hosting a youth program called Hadi Gidelim on TRT 2.
His television career took off with notable roles in several Turkish TV series. In Yabancı Damat (2004), he portrayed İhsan, followed by roles in Ne Seninle Ne Sensiz (2005), Hisarbuselik (2006), and Kod Adı (2006). His performance as Ziya in the hit series Asi (2007-2008) further solidified his reputation in the industry.
Breakthrough in Cinema
Saylak made his cinematic debut in Sonbahar (2008), which premiered at the 15th Golden Boll Film Festival and won the Best Film Award. His critically acclaimed performances continued with roles in Güz Sancısı (2008), Denizden Gelen (2009), and Ölü Yaprak Vuruşu (2009). His role in Denizden Gelen earned him recognition, as the film received the Yılmaz Güney Special Award.
In subsequent years, Saylak appeared in Mavi Dalga (2013), Rüzgarın Hatıraları (2014), and Benim Dünyam (2014), showcasing his versatility across different genres.
Prominent TV Roles
His success on television continued with lead roles in popular dramas such as:
Gönülçelen (2010) – Portrayed Levent.
Sensiz Olmaz (2011) – Played Aydın.
Hatırla Gönül (2015) – Cast as Tekin.
Vatanım Sensin (2016-2018) – Gained widespread recognition as Tevfik.
Çarpışma (2018) – Portrayed the intriguing Veli Cevher.
Kuzgun (2019) – Played Ferman.
Çukur (2019) – Reprised his role as Veli Cevher.
Babil (2020) – Played Egemen.
Gaddar (2023) – Played the character Müdür.
Deha (2024) – Portrayed Sofi/Ali Haydar.
Directorial and Production Ventures
In addition to acting, Saylak ventured into directing and producing. He co-founded b.i.t arts, a production company focusing on independent cinema and television projects. His directorial debut, Daha (2017), received critical acclaim for its powerful narrative and visual storytelling.
Personal Life and Legacy
Onur Saylak's dedication to the arts extends beyond acting, as he continuously contributes to theatre, film, and education. His ability to portray complex characters and engage audiences has cemented his status as one of Turkey’s most respected actors.
With a career spanning theatre, cinema, television, and academia, Saylak continues to shape the Turkish entertainment industry and inspire new generations of artists. As he embarks on new projects, his influence and legacy in Turkish cinema remain ever-growing.
Address
Harju maakond / Sepapaja tn 6 15551 Tallinn Estonia