Ercan Yazgan

Ercan Yazgan — Biography

Born Necip Ercan Yazgan on 4 April 1946 in Sinop, he gained stage experience with companies such as the Tuncay Özinel Theatre and the Ankara Art Theatre before making his film debut in 1963 and going on to build a career of more than fifty years.

He became widely known for character roles including Şoför İsmet in Perihan Abla, Kapıcı Cafer in Bizimkiler and Memnun Kaygısız in Kaygısızlar, and also appeared in films such as Balalayka and Bana Masal Anlatma; his performance in the 1999 film Duruşma won him Best Supporting Actor at the 36th Golden Orange Film Festival. His exaggerated portrayal of a building caretaker in Kapıcı Cafer drew criticism from doorkeepers' professional groups, to which screenwriter Umur Bugay replied that not every caretaker or accountant behaves that way. He also lent his support to the 1991 Great Miners' March alongside fellow actors Cihat Tamer and Nedim Doğan.

Yazgan, whose stepdaughter from his second marriage, Buket Dereoğlu, also appeared alongside him in Bizimkiler, was hospitalized on 3 March 2018 for respiratory failure; kidney and liver failure that developed in intensive care led to multiple organ failure, and he died in Istanbul on 8 March 2018. He was buried at Karacaahmet Cemetery following funeral prayers at Şakirin Mosque.