Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu

Biography

Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu was born on 1 March 1994 in Istanbul, Turkey. He is a Turkish actor who graduated with high honors from the Acting Department of Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory. He also studied physical theatre and modern dance in India and Poland, developing experience in both contemporary performance and theatre.

Üzümoğlu began his television career with the series Adı Efsane (2017), playing Hakan Şahin. He later appeared as Emir in Netflix's The Protector (2018). His international breakthrough came with Rise of Empires: Ottoman (2020–2022), in which he portrayed Sultan Mehmed II, the Ottoman ruler who conquered Constantinople.

His film work includes Grudge (Kin, 2021), Karanlık Gece (Black Night, 2022), LCV (Lütfen Cevap Veriniz) (2022), and Aşk Mevsimi (2024). For LCV and Karanlık Gece, he received major recognition at the 59th Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, winning Best Actor for LCV, while Karanlık Gece won Best Film.

Theatre has remained an important part of his career. His performances include Troas, Salto, The Normal Heart, The Son, Hamlet, and The Glass Menagerie. In 2017, he received the Most Successful Young Generation Artist of the Year award at the 21st Afife Theatre Awards for his performance in Troas.

Üzümoğlu has also explored photography, presenting his first exhibition, Loners in Wilderness, in 2023. His growing filmography includes television, cinema, theatre, and streaming productions, establishing him as one of the notable younger actors in Turkish entertainment.