Actor Rasim Öztekin loses his life

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

Click to read the article in Turkish

Having a heart attack, television, theater, and movie actor Rasim Öztekin lost his life at the age of 62 yesterday (March 8).

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca has shared his passing with the public in a message on Twitter, saying, "TV series, theater and movie actor Rasim Öztekin, hospitalized in our Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Hospital, has lost his life despite all efforts. He was a member of the family in every household with a TV. May his soul rest in peace."

He was hospitalized on March 7

Rasim Öztekin had a history of heart problems, and in 2018 his pacemaker was replaced, according to the local media.

Born in Istanbul in 1959, Öztekin was known especially for his work with actor Ferhan Sensoy. He played in scores of films, plays, and TV series.

In 2016, Şensoy handed over to Öztekin a symbolic award for traditional theater titled, Hasan Efendi Turban, named after a pioneering comedian.

Citing his health problems, Öztekin passed the award onto fellow thespian Şevket Çoruh in 2020. In passing the award, Öztekin briefly said:

"I took over the Turban, the symbol of Traditional Turkish Theater, from my master Ferhan Şensoy. In the summer when I took the turban, my doctor forbade live performances to me as I was having serious arrhythmia in addition to cardiac insufficiency.

"My heart did not allow me to do theater in Turban. As a matter of fact, I retired from theater, my dearest, due to disability."

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), several social media users on Monday went online to commemorate the veteran actor. Most shared photos or video clips of Ötekin's performances.

On Instagram, comedian Cem Yılmaz posted a photo with Öztekin from a movie set, lauding their "beautiful days" working together.

Politicians also took social media to grieve over the loss of the prominent actor. President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has extended his "condolences to his family, all his admirers, and to our artistic community." "I deeply regret the death of Rasim Oztekin, one of our country's great performers," he has written.

Other political figures who have offered condolences over Öztekin's passing include Vice President Fuat Oktay, Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, İYİ Party Chair Meral Akşener, and Felicity Party (SP) Chair Temel Karamollaoğlu. (EKN/SD)