Actor Şafak Karali, who had been part of the artistic staff of the Kocaeli City Theaters since its establishment, has passed away at the age of 57. Karali's death has caused sadness in the worlds of theater and screen.
A funeral ceremony for the artist will be held at the Kocaeli City Theaters on November 9 at 11:00. Karali's funeral will be held from the Yahya Kaptan Akşemsettin Mosque following the noon prayer.
A CAREER SPANNING FROM THEATER TO CINEMA AND TELEVISION
Born in Ankara on July 15, 1969, Şafak Karali graduated from the Hacettepe University Faculty of Education and subsequently from the Ankara University Faculty of Language, History and Geography, Department of Theater, Acting Major.
Karali, who began his professional theater life at the Ankara State Theater in 1993, joined the founding staff of the Kocaeli City Theaters in 1997. He performed in numerous productions such as "Hamlet," "Kösem Sultan," "İçerdekiler," "The Dervish and Death," "Kılıçarslan," and "Sinan." The artist had portrayed the character of Mimar Sinan in the play "Sinan," which was staged in 2025.
In addition to acting, Karali also worked as an assistant director and theater instructor, conducting theater workshops with inmates in prisons and with children. He documented these experiences in his book titled "Şafaktan" (From the Dawn).
Beyond the theater stage, Karali also met audiences in cinema and television. The actor, who portrayed the character of Abidin in Nuri Bilge Ceylan's film "Once Upon a Time in Anatolia," also appeared in the films "Sıcak," "Kanımdaki Barut," and "Albüm." The series "Avrupa Yakası," "Karadayı," "Aile İşi," and "Hayat Şarkısı" were also among the productions in which Karali took part.
Şafak Karali was awarded the Best Supporting Actor Award at the Stobi Antique Games Festival held in Macedonia in 2003.
News Source: 12punto
