Born in 1961 in Turkey, he moved to Germany in 1968. He began his acting career on stage before transitioning to film in the 1980s. Known for his intense performances, he gained international recognition for his role in Fatih Akin's "Head-On" (2004), which won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. He worked with prominent directors and appeared in various European films, often portraying complex characters. He passed away in 2020, leaving a lasting impact on cinema.