Veteran Actor Zihni Göktay in Intensive Care

Renowned Turkish theater and film actor Zihni Göktay is currently in intensive care, prompting calls for prayers and support from the artistic community.

Theater artist Nedim Saban announced Göktay's critical condition, sharing on social media, "Let's not withhold our prayers for the master Zihni Göktay. We await good news from the intensive care unit at Maltepe Hospital."

This hospitalization follows a difficult period for the veteran actor. Earlier this year, Göktay suffered a hip fracture, necessitating a temporary break from his stage performances. He also experienced personal hardship three years ago with the loss of his wife, Sevinç Göktay, and subsequently moved into a nursing home in Maltepe, Istanbul, due to his own home entering a demolition process.

Born on May 17, 1946, Göktay began his professional acting career in 1964 at the Ankara Meydan Sahnesi. He joined the Istanbul City Theaters in 1973, where he performed in 72 plays over 36 years. His contributions also extended to radio theater, directing and acting in numerous productions for Istanbul Radio between 1978 and 1996. Göktay was also active as a voice actor, notably dubbing himself in silent films he starred in. He is widely recognized for his performance in the operetta "Lüküs Hayat" and is considered one of the last representatives of the tuluat (improvised) tradition in Turkish theater.

“

Let's not withhold our prayers for the master Zihni Göktay. We await good news from the intensive care unit at Maltepe Hospital.