Korhan Abay

Korhan Abay — Biography

A graduate of Galatasaray High School and the Faculty of Business Administration of Istanbul University, Korhan Abay began his stage career at the Ali Poyrazoğlu Theatre before founding his own company, Teatro Korhan Abay, where he worked as both actor and manager. His production of Hayvanat Bahçesi won the Avni Dilligil Special Award in the 1982-83 season. Between 1974 and 1985 he appeared in more than twenty stage plays and around ten films, including Soysuzlar, Elma Şekeri, Şıpsevdi and Kıskıvrak.

After writing, directing, acting in and producing the television series Büyük Koşu in 1986-87, he spent 1987 to 1998 as host, consultant, general director and producer of numerous television programs, many broadcast live. He presented at the Istanbul International Film Festival, the Çeşme International Music Festival, the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, and events such as Best Model of the World and the Aydın Doğan Awards, and is best remembered for co-hosting the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest in Istanbul with Meltem Cumbul.

He is among the few people able to present impromptu in three languages, Turkish, French and English, and with preparation in five more, including Italian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and German. A licensed private pilot rated for multi-engine and instrument flight, he has logged roughly 1,300 flight hours, making him one of Turkey's most experienced holders of that license.