Savaş Yurttaş

Savaş Yurttaş — Biography

Savaş Yurttaş was a theatre, film and television actor remembered in Turkey above all for two characters: Kavruk Hasan in TRT's 1970s programme 5 Dakika and Eskici Yengeç Hüseyin in the series Bizimkiler. Both won him wide affection. Altan Erkekli, who shared the stage with him, called Yurttaş "my master" and described Kavruk Hasan as an oppressed but upright Anatolian young man, a symbol of love and tolerance.

Born in the Pınarbaşı district of Kayseri, he began on the stage of Istanbul University's Youth Theatre in Sermet Çağan's Ayak Bacak Fabrikası while still a student there, and turned to the theatre before graduating. In Ankara he worked at the Ulvi Uraz Theatre, the Turkish Teachers' Union Theatre, Ankara Halk Oyuncuları and, for the longest, Ankara Sanat Tiyatrosu; Brecht's Komün Günleri and Jan Dark Davası and Gorky's Ana were among his productions. Known on television through 5 Dakika, he became nationally famous with Bizimkiler, which began in 1989 and which he stayed with until his death, and he also appeared in Yazlıkçılar and Oğlum Adam Olacak.

In cinema he acted in films including Sürü, Yılanların Öcü, Bebek, Davacı, Gizli Yüz, Sarı Mercedes and, last, Şellale (2001), and in 1981 he received the film writers' Best Supporting Actor award. He overcame throat cancer but his vocal cords were damaged, and he kept acting regardless. He died at Hacettepe University Hospital in Ankara on 8 April 2002.