Kemal Sunal

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Kemal Sunal (November 11, 1944- July 3, 2000) was one of Turkey's all-time most successful comedians. He starred in more than 70 comedy movies. His most famous role was that of working class hero Şaban, whom he played in several movies in the 1970s and 1980s.

Born in 1944 in Istanbul, Turkey, he graduated from Vefa High School, Fatih, in Istanbul. He later continued with his higher education much later in life. In 1998, Sunal graduated with a master's degree from the Television Studies Department of Marmara University, Institute of Social Sciences.

Sunal acted in many popular films, although he began his artistic career in the theater. His first play was called "Unwilling Doctor", and he later worked at the Devekuşu Kabare Theatre with Ulvi Uraz. Although Sunal had minor roles at first, after 1973 he was highly acclaimed for his roles in movies with large casts. He won the Antalya Film Festival's Golden Orange Award in 1977. He contributed greatly to Turkish cinema with his successful acting, including his roles in such movies as "Hababam Sinifi" (Outrageous Class), "Kapicilar Krali" (King of Janitors), "Salako" (Moron), "Inek Şaban" (Shaban the Cow) and "Davaro". He was often called Shaban in his films. Because of this Turks often called him Shaban more than his official name Kemal Sunal. Sunal's latest role was in Sinan Cetin's border comedy "Propaganda" in 1999. He also made a TV commercial.

Kemal Sunal died suddenly of a heart attack at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport. He had just boarded a plane for Trabzon, where he was to take part in the filming of director Ali Ozgenturk's "Balalaika". His death caused a wave of sorrow across Turkey. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Minister of Culture Istemihan Talay, and other politicians sent messages of condolence expressing their sorrow.

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