Fatma Girik

Fatma Girik (12 December 1943 – 24 January 2022) was a Turkish actress and politician. Together with Hülya Koçyiğit, Filiz Akın and Türkan Şoray, she was an icon for the golden age in Turkish cinematography and is regarded as one of the four most important actresses in Turkish cinema.

Biography
Girik was born in Istanbul on 12 December 1942. She graduated from Cağaloğlu Girls High School in the city. Her first appearance in front of the camera was as a walking lady in Günahkar Baba (Sinful Father) by Arşavir Alyanak.

With Cüneyt Arkın, she played in Sevişmek Yasak, Kolsuz Kahraman, Köroğlu, Vatan ve Namık Kemal, Büyük Yemin, Satın Alınan Koca, Murat ile Nazlı, Gönülden yaralılar, Önce Vatan, Gelincik.

After a stint in small parts, she landed the leading role in Leke (The Stain) by Seyfi Havaeri in 1958. Three years later, she became a respected movie star with her leading role in Ölüm Peşimizde (Death is Chasing Us) by Memduh Ün. She went on to star in over 180 films. Later on, she ventured into politics, becoming the mayor of the district of Şişli in Istanbul between 1989 and 1994.

Girik died in Istanbul from multi-organ failure due to pneumonia caused by COVID-19 on 24 January 2022, at the age of 79.

Awards

 * 2nd Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival 1965, Keşanlı Ali Destanı, Best Actress
 * 4th Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival 1967, Sürtüğün Kızı, Best Actress
 * 1st Adana Golden Boll Film Festival 1969, Ezo Gelin, Best Actress
 * 2nd Adana Golden Boll Film Festival 1970, Boş Beşik, Best Actress
 * 3rd Adana Golden Boll Film Festival 1971, Acı, Best Actress
 * 35th Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival 1998, Sürtüğün Kızı, Lifetime honorary award