Uğurtan Sayıner

Uğurtan Sayıner — Biography

After graduating from the Faculty of Economics, Uğurtan Sayıner began his career in theatre in 1962, performing with the İttihat ve Terakki, TÖS, Arena, Gen-Ar and Dormen theatre companies as well as the Üç Maymun cabaret and the Ercan Yazgan-Bülent Kayabaş troupe. He ran his own café-bar for a time and was also known as a public figure who survived the 1999 İzmit earthquake. Following his role in Perihan Abla (1986), he found lasting fame as "Sarhoş Cemil" ("Drunk Cemil") in Bizimkiler, which aired from 1989 to 2002, becoming known for the catchphrase "My name is Cemil!" On screen he played a receptionist in Hiçbiryerde (2001) and later appeared in Küçük Esnaf (2016) and Aşk Bu Mu? (2018); one of his last roles was in Cango (2021). In his final years he lived with fellow actor Osman Cavcı, and shortly before his death he used social media to deny rumors about his health and thank his fans. Sayıner died of age-related causes at his home in Karşıyaka, İzmir, on 27 June 2021, and was buried at Doğançay Cemetery.