27.11.2025 10:00
It has been revealed that Zihni Göktay, one of the living legends of Turkish theater, is staying in a nursing home. Those who have seen the veteran actor's current state couldn't help but comment, "It's sad."
One of the living legends of Turkish theater, Zihni Göktay, who has been etched in memories with the character Rıza in the operetta "Lüküs Hayat" for many years, has come back into the spotlight with his recent images. It has been revealed that the 79-year-old master artist is living in a nursing home in Maltepe after his house in Fenerbahçe was demolished.
HE WAS ON STAGE FOR MANY YEARS
Zihni Göktay, who made his mark in theater history with his performance in "Lüküs Hayat," written by Ekrem Reşit Rey and immortalized with the compositions of Cemal Reşit Rey, has acted in a total of 100 plays, including 22 musicals and 10 children's plays. While the images of Göktay in the nursing home became a topic of discussion shortly after, it was learned that the artist is healthy but leading a quiet life.
SAD COMMENTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Those who saw the latest state of the master actor made emotional comments on social media. Posts such as "Zihni hocam is a great master, very sad," "I saw it, I was very upset," and "A theater giant… Sad, but may he live in health" drew attention.
WHO IS ZİHNİ GÖKTAY?
Zihni Göktay is one of the living legends of Turkish theater. Born in Istanbul in 1945, the master artist became widely known for his character Rıza in the operetta "Lüküs Hayat," written by Ekrem Reşit Rey and composed by Cemal Reşit Rey. Throughout his career, Göktay has performed in over 100 theater plays, including 22 musicals and 10 children's plays. Considered one of the most important figures of the Istanbul City Theaters, the artist is known for his strong stage energy, improvisational skills, and contributions to classical Turkish theater. The 79-year-old master actor continues to be referred to as "the doyen of musical theater" in the art world.