Turkish actor Serhat Mustafa Kılıç, known internationally for playing Mikhael Kosses in the historical drama Kuruluş Osman, has died at the age of 51.
Police found Kılıç dead at his home in Istanbul’s Kağıthane district on Saturday, September 5. Reports said people could not reach him for one to two days before his death.
His girlfriend, Özlem E., reportedly went to his home and found him unresponsive on a couch. Emergency teams arrived and examined the actor at the scene.
Reports said authorities found no open wounds or visible injuries from cutting or piercing objects. However, they reportedly noticed bruises around his eyes, arms and legs.
Authorities sent Kılıç’s body to the Forensic Medicine Institute for an autopsy to establish the cause of death. Police have also opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Kılıç was born in Ankara on July 8, 1975. He studied theatre at Bilkent University and later completed postgraduate studies in directing.
Kılıç’s role in Kuruluş Osman
Kılıç gained a large international following after joining Kuruluş Osman, where he played Mikhael Kosses, a Byzantine lord who later converted to Islam and became an ally of Osman Bey.
His character helped Osman Bey in his efforts to establish and expand his state. Kılıç appeared in the series from 2021 to 2022, and the role became one of his best-known performances among international viewers.
Reports recently said Kılıç had left a role in the upcoming television series Teşkilat because of health concerns.
Extensive television career
Kılıç built a long career in television, cinema and theatre. He also worked as a radio presenter before gaining wider recognition on screen.
He played Selim Uğurlu in the crime drama Ezel, Ergun Plak in the popular nostalgic series Seksenler and Çolak in the action drama Söz.
His other television roles included Necati Türel in Maraşlı, Taner Aslan in Öğretmen, Nejat in Şeref Bey, Esat Uncular in Tetikçinin Oğlu and Feyyaz Ağırtaş in Kirli Sepeti.
His last listed television role was Raci Korkmaz in Kardelenler in 2025.