Yurdaer Okur

Yurdaer Okur was born on 29 October 1974 in Rize, into a family of Georgian and Laz origin who had migrated from the Perşembe district of Ordu province. He finished high school in Bafra, then studied tourism management at Akdeniz University for three years before switching in 1994 to the theatre department of Hacettepe University State Conservatory. He later earned a master's degree at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University's State Conservatory. In 1999 he met actor Genco Erkal and joined the Dostlar Theatre, appearing in the play "Barefoot Socrates." In 2000 he began working as a freelance actor at the Istanbul State Theatre, and in 2002 joined the permanent cast of the Diyarbakır State Theatre, where he also taught drama to local youth. He made his screen debut in 1993 in the series "Ferhunde Hanımlar." He gained wide recognition for playing prosecutor Turgut in the series "Karadayı" (2012–2013). Other notable works include "Aliya" (2018, as Izetbegović), Netflix's "Hakan: Muhafız" (The Protector), "7. Koğuştaki Mucize," "Piyasa" (2025), and "Cennetin Çocukları" (2025). He is a supporter of the football club Beşiktaş. He is married to Dilara Yalçın; the couple has one child.