Necip Memili was born on May 27, 1980, in Adana. He is a Turkish actor known for his roles in television, film, and theater.

Childhood and Education

Family: He grew up with freedom, as his family didn’t pressure him into a specific profession. “My family wasn’t the type to say, ‘Become an engineer or a doctor.’ They were realistic and used to say, ‘He won’t amount to anything,’ which I find hilarious. Thankfully, they didn’t interfere.”

Early Years: He was a mischievous and hyperactive child. “My family said, ‘Nothing will come of him, let’s at least send him to vocational high school,’ so I studied in the electricity department.”

Path to Acting: He was directed toward acting “to become more ‘civilized’” (Turkish: ehlileşmek). He worked in many jobs, from barbering to waiting tables, to release his excess energy, which he feels helps him understand the characters he plays today.

Education: He graduated from the Çukurova University State Conservatory with a degree in Theater Acting.

General Information

Social Media & Online Profiles

Online Profiles & Databases

Career and Philosophy

• TV Debut: He first appeared on camera in the series Arka Sokaklar.
• Breakthrough Role: He gained significant attention as ‘Zaloğlu Ramazan’ in the series Hanımın Çiftliği (Lady’s Farm).
• International Fame: He is best known internationally for his role as ‘Cumali Koçovalı’ in the blockbuster series Çukur (The Pit).
• Personality: Stubborn, authentic, hardworking, and tenacious (gets what he aims for).
• On Creating a Character: “We are the gods of the characters we play… You are creating something that doesn’t exist. Yes, I become its God. That is a great pleasure.”
• On-Set Process: He gives himself five episodes for a new character to “settle” and align with the script. He takes extensive notes, determines the character’s zodiac sign, and writes backstories. “I read eight books to prepare for one theater role.”
• Admiration for Yeşilçam: He deeply loves classic Turkish cinema (Yeşilçam). “Those who don’t know their past can’t make anything of their present… I watched Türkan Şoray and Kadir İnanır not because they were beautiful or handsome, but because I believed in their emotions.”

View on Fame and Life

• On Fame: He isn’t interested in the concept of fame. “I see myself as a man who opens his shop’s shutters in the morning and closes them at night. I do my job and leave. I don’t have a ‘fame’ perception.”
• Staying Grounded: He enjoys being part of everyday life, taking the bus and ferry, which often surprises people. He recalls a woman asking him, “Aren’t you ashamed?” for riding a minibus when he earns so much. “I told her I didn’t have a car. She said, ‘Then buy one.’ I have these funny experiences.”
• Hobbies: Plays percussion and is trying to learn the clarinet. He also does voice-over work (dubbing), which he started by chance and now loves.
• Concerns: He believes actors must stay active in real life. “Some actors seem to be living in an ivory tower (Turkish: Kaf Dağı’nın ardında). If you are not in life, what you do remains a lie.”
• Home Life: “I feel like somersaulting with happiness when I enter my home. I get my love for home from my family.”

Career Plan

• Preferred Roles: He enjoys playing “bad” characters, believing he creates a “sympathetic side” to them. He also wishes to experience playing a woman, stating, “If I were a woman… I would be funny and entertaining. And I would definitely be a mother.”
• Future Dreams: He is more interested in “active supporting roles” than lead roles, though he’d love to star in an adaptation of Orhan Pamuk’s novel Kar (Snow).
• On Visuals: He acknowledges the reality of the industry: “Visuals are very important. You feel good watching handsome and beautiful people… Imagine a series with only people like me! Even I wouldn’t watch it.”

Latest Project: Eşref Rüya

Necip Memili’s latest project is the new series “Eşref Rüya.”

• Character Name: Gürdal Bozok
• Role: He is Eşref’s right-hand man and most loyal friend.
• Function: Gürdal plays a critical role in running Eşref’s underground operations.
• Character Traits:
  • A dangerous and determined character.
  • Loves danger and is capable of doing anything to achieve his goals.
  • His priority is to manage operations and maintain order for Eşref.

Necip Memili: Filmography and Awards

Selected Television Series

• 2025– Eşref Rüya (Gürdal)
• 2023–2024 Sandık Kokusu (Reha Özkan)
• 2023 Yüz Yıllık Mucize (Turgut)
• 2022 Darmaduman (Harun Servet)
• 2021–2022 Üç Kuruş (Kılıç Hicaz)
• 2018–2021 Çukur (Cumali Koçovalı)
• 2017 Dolunay (Hakan Önder)
• 2016–2017 Muhteşem Yüzyıl Kösem (Evliya Çelebi)
• 2012–2014 Dila Hanım (Azer Barazoğlu)
• 2009–2011 Hanımın Çiftliği (Zaloğlu Ramazan)
• 2007–2008 Yaprak Dökümü (Erkan Taşkın)
• 2007 Arka Sokaklar (Nevzat)

Selected Films

• 2019 Karakomik Filmler: 2 Arada
• 2016 Kaçma Birader
• 2015 Yok Artık
• 2012 Moskova’nın Şifresi: Temel
• 2011 Sümela’nın Şifresi: Temel
• 2010 Nene Hatun

Awards

• Antalya Television Awards: Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Dila Hanım)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Who is Necip Memili?
  • Necip Memili is a Turkish theater, film, and television actor.
• How old is Necip Memili?
  • 45 years old (Born 1980).
• Where is Necip Memili from?
  • Adana.
• What is Necip Memili’s most famous role?
  • He is widely known for playing ‘Cumali Koçovalı’ in the series Çukur.
• Who is Necip Memili’s wife?
  • Didem Dayıcıoğlu (Didem Memili). He has one daughter.
• What college did Necip Memili graduate from?
  • Çukurova University State Conservatory, Theater Department.
• What is Necip Memili’s height?
  • 1.86 m (approx. 6’1″).
• What is Necip Memili’s zodiac sign?
  • Gemini.
• What is his latest series?
  • His most current project is the new series Eşref Rüya.