Belgin Doruk: A Life in Turkish Cinema
Belgin Doruk (June 28, 1936, Ankara - March 26, 1995, Istanbul) was a Turkish actress and model, recognized as one of the leading stars of Turkish cinema in the 1950s and 1960s.
Early Years and Career Beginnings (1936-1955):
Born in Ankara on June 28, 1936, Belgin Doruk grew up with aspirations of becoming an artist. In 1952, during her final year of middle school, she participated in a contest supported by Yıldız Dergisi and İstanbul Film. Her victory in the contest led to her first film role in 'Çakırcalı Mehmet Efe'nin Definesi,' directed by Faruk Kenç. This marked the beginning of her career in Turkish cinema. Over the years, she appeared in various films, including 'Ölüm Korkusu,' 'Çölde Bir İstanbul Kızı,' and the renowned 'Küçük Hanımefendi' series, making her one of the most popular actresses of the era.
Rise to Fame and Personal Life (1956-1959):
By the late 1950s, Belgin Doruk had achieved significant success and recognition in the film industry. She starred in numerous films, collaborating with notable actors like Zeki Müren and Ayhan Işık. In 1958, she divorced her first husband, Faruk Kenç, and married the film director and screenwriter Özdemir Birsel in 1961. Throughout the 1960s, she continued to appear in successful films, such as 'Küçük Hanımefendi' and 'Duvarların Ötesi.'
Peak Years and Challenges (1960-1967):
The 1960s marked the peak of Belgin Doruk's career, with her starring in acclaimed films like 'Küçük Hanımefendi.' Her on-screen partnership with Ayhan Işık became iconic, and the 'Küçük Hanımefendi' series gained a special place in Turkish cinema history. However, her career faced challenges due to health issues and personal struggles, leading to a decline in film appearances toward the end of the 1960s.
Transition and Later Years (1968-1987):
As the 1970s approached, Doruk's filmography became less extensive. She starred in fewer films, with her last cinematic appearance in 'Gecekondu Rüzgarı' in 1972. In 1975, she announced her retirement from cinema. After a hiatus of 15 years, she returned to the screen for a television commercial in 1987. Belgin Doruk's legacy in Turkish cinema remains significant, particularly for her roles in popular films of the 1950s and 1960s. Her contribution to the industry earned her awards and recognition, and her name is associated with the golden era of Turkish cinema.
Filmography As an Actress
1952: The Treasure of Çakırcalı Mehmet Efe
1952: Bloody Farm
1953: Köroğlu - Türkan Sultan
1953: Köroğlu/Türkan Sultan
1953: The City That Kills
1954: Let the Lutes Play, Let the Girls Dance
1955: Fate
1955: Fear of Death
1955: Last Composition
1957: Tormented Nightingale
1957: An Istanbul Girl in the Desert
1957: Istanbul Return
1957: Until Doomsday
1958: Let's Die Together
1958: Will I Continue?
1958: Hell of Life
1958: Years of Sorrow
1959: I'm Looking for My Mother
1959: Binnaz
1959: Years of Sorrow
1959: Broken Disc
1959: Undying Love
1959: One Night of My Life
1959: Milky Way
1959: True Romance
1960: Ayşecik, the Seductive Devil
1960: Night Bird
1960: First Love
1960: Treacherous
1960: The Bloody Fugitive
1960: Sold Man
1960: The Light of Green Mansion, and many more projects.
Later Years of Her Career and Death
In 1955, she became uncomfortable with her weight and started using a slimming medication given by her mother. She used the medication regularly and managed to return to her previous shape until the early 1960s. In 1967, she started using a slimming medication called 'Pat.' She was unaware of the presence of the Amphetamine substance in the medication. Amphetamine is a nerve system-disrupting drug. Özdemir Birsel's busy work schedule overwhelmed Belgin Doruk. She sought solace in alcohol and later received an offer for singing. Under the influence of the medication, she felt like an opera singer and accepted the offer. She ignored Zeki Müren's suggestion to take music lessons. Under the influence of Amphetamine, she lost touch with reality. On her first night on stage, she started reciting poetry instead of singing. The audience and backstage were astonished by the incident. Belgin Doruk's first stage experience ended in failure, and she opened her eyes in her bed.[13] She trembled all over, and around this time, Özdemir Birsel faced financial difficulties. Belgin Doruk was admitted to the French Lape Hospital in Şişli after suffering a nervous breakdown. The iron doors of the hospital, where mental patients were treated, terrified Belgin Doruk. The room she was confined in seemed like a prison to her, and her screams echoed from the locked room. There were even claims that she was chained. Özdemir Birsel went bankrupt in the early 1970s. Economic turmoil was added to Belgin Doruk's loneliness and unhappiness. After facing these difficulties and gaining weight, she appeared in her last film in 1972 and announced that she was retiring from acting in 1975. After quitting acting for 20 years, she fell ill one night in Bebek. On her last night, her blood pressure kept fluctuating. In the early hours of March 27, 1995, she passed away. Her funeral was held at Şişli Mosque, and she was laid to rest at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery.
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