Biography

Sanem Çelik (born 18 May 1975, İstanbul), Turkey is Turkish theatre, movie, TV series actress, an artist and a dancer. In 1983 she entered Istanbul University State Conservatory's Ballet Department. During her school years she performed at school as well as in Contemporary Ballet Company as a soloist andcorps de ballet dancer. During her studies she worked with celebrated teachers and choreaographs like Figen Yücel, Vecihi Ofluoğlu, Cem Ertekin, Marion-Yener Durukan, Valentina Sobseva, Ludmilla Marazova, Ramazan Bapov. After getting her associate degree in ballet, she transferred to the same conservatory's Acting Department where she was a student of Yildiz Kenter and Haldun Dormen. In 1999, she graduated with her BA in Acting. Between the years of 1994-1996 she appeared in many commercials. In 1996 she appeared in her first feature movie "Yaban" adapted by Ziya Öztan from the famous Turkish novel by Yakup Kadri Karaosmanoğlu. Directed by Nihat Durak, Celik played Emine, for which she got "The Best Supporting Actress" award in the 10th International Adana Golden Boll Film Festival. The television series "Black Angel" which started in 1997 and became one of the most popular TV series in the history of Turkish television is a turning point in Sanem Celik's career. Her character Yasemin became one of the most famous villains on TV. For her performance she was awarded as "The Best Actress of The Year" by The Entertainment Journalists' Guild, along withPerran Kutman. In 1998 she worked as a choreograph, dancer, actor and singer in the musical "Hommage to Çiğdem Talu" directed by Haldun Dormen, musical director/composer Melih Kibar. Between the years of 1999-2000 she worked as a voice-over artist for animation movies. In 2000 she was awarded as "The Best Actress" in Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival for her performance as Havva Adem in the movie "Elephants and Grass". She got five more awards in the same category with her performance in "Elephants and Grass" from different festivals and competitions. Meantime, she was on stage with Dormen Theatre Company in Ray Cooney's comedy "Run for Your Wife" In 2002 she appeared as a juror in Orhan Ariburnu Film Festival. She started to take drawing courses. In 2003 she played Queen Puduhepa in the documentary "Hittites" along with Haluk Bilginerdirected by Tolga Ornek. In 2004 she was on TV again as the lead of the TV series "Aliye" produced by TMC on channel Atv. With a celebrated cast with Halit Ergenç, Nejat İşler, Ayla Algan, took attention and lasted 76 episodes. Celik was awarded as the best actress from four different competitions. Again in 2004, she appeared as Mary Smith in "Run for Your Wife" at Nedim Saban Tiyatrokare, which she was nominated for the Best Actress award in Afife Jale Theater Awards. In 2005 she appeared in Biket Ilhan's movie "The Dark Face of the Moon". She played one of the leading roles along with actors like Memet Ali Alabora and Ali Poyrazoğlu. In the same year she added Motorsports to her hobbies. She was placed as the third in her first car race. In 2006 after completing TV series "Aliye", she moved to Los Angeles. She attended courses and workshops in various disciplines. In 2008 she started shooting "Güldünya" produced by TMC for the Turkish television. Celik resides in Los Angeles. She is represented by Pram Communications, Filiz Kucuk.