06.07.2026 14:30
Zihni Göktay, one of the unforgettable names of Turkish theater, passed away at the age of 81 in the hospital where he was rushed after suddenly falling ill. The funeral program for the master, who dedicated 53 years to art, has been announced.
Master actor Zihni Göktay, who suddenly fell ill and passed away at the age of 81 in the hospital where he was taken, left his mark on Turkish theater with the operetta "Lüküs Hayat," which he performed for 28 years. Over his 53-year artistic career, he appeared in 72 different plays.
FUNERAL PROGRAM ANNOUNCED
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Department of Culture, Arts and Social Affairs issued a written statement regarding the funeral program of the master actor.
Accordingly, a ceremony will be held for the master actor on July 7 (tomorrow) at 10:00 AM at the Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage. His funeral will then be buried at Karacaahmet Cemetery following the funeral prayer to be held after the noon prayer at Şakirin Mosque.
Here is the full statement:
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our esteemed artist Zihni Göktay, one of the master artists of Turkish theater and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality City Theaters, who made great contributions to our theater throughout his artistic life.
A ceremony will be held for our master artist on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage. His funeral will be buried at Karacaahmet Cemetery following the funeral prayer to be held after the noon prayer at Şakirin Mosque.
As the City Theaters family, we extend our condolences to our master artist's family, relatives, loved ones, the art community, and our Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality City Theaters family."
DAUGHTER ANNOUNCED THE SAD NEWS
The news of the master's death was announced by his daughter Zeynep Göktay Dilbaz through a post on her social media account.
In her post, Göktay Dilbaz included the following statements:
"Despite the increasing health problems following the hip fracture he suffered during the Ankara tour at the beginning of the year, he never lost his joy of living, his curiosity about his surroundings, and his hope of returning to the stage and reuniting with his beloved audience until the very last moment. He was embraced with great love by his audience, his loved ones, and everyone whose life he touched. We are deeply grateful to everyone who showed interest, called, asked, and stood by us during this process in our father's name."
Zihni Göktay's wife, Sevinç Göktay, who dedicated her life to art, passed away in January 2022.
WHO IS ZİHNİ GÖKTAY?
Zihni Göktay was born in Istanbul on December 2, 1945. He began his professional career in 1964 at the Ankara Meydan Stage and continued this role until 1973, when he moved to the Istanbul City Theaters.
Göktay served as both a director and actor in many plays at the Istanbul Radio Radio Theater Branch from 1978 to 1996.
Considered one of the last representatives of the improvisational theater tradition in Turkish theater, the artist became unforgettable with his performance in the operetta "Lüküs Hayat," which he performed for 28 years. He appeared in 72 plays over 36 years.