Ercan Kesal

Actor

Ercan Kesal is a prominent Turkish actor, screenwriter, and director. Born on September 12, 1959, in Avanos, Nevşehir, Turkey, Kesal initially pursued a career in medicine before transitioning into film. He is known for his deep and complex portrayals, often collaborating with celebrated Turkish directors. Kesal gained significant recognition for his work with director Nuri Bilge Ceylan, notably in the film "Once Upon a Time in Anatolia" (2011), which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Kesal also appeared in "Three Monkeys" (2008), another Ceylan-directed film that won the Best Director Award at Cannes. As a director, Kesal made his debut with the film "Nasipse Adayız" (2020), which received critical acclaim. He continues to be an influential figure in Turkish cinema, both in front of and behind the camera.