Halit Ergenç (born 30 April 1970) is a Turkish actor renowned for his performances in popular television series and films. He gained widespread fame for portraying Sultan Suleiman I in Muhteşem Yüzyıl, Onur Aksal in Binbir Gece, and Cevdet in Vatanım Sensin. Ergenç has had a distinguished career in television, film, and theater. He is also known for his involvement in social movements, notably the Gezi protests in 2013. Since 2009, he has been married to actress Bergüzar Korel, with whom he shares two sons, Ali and Han, and a daughter, Leyla. His younger brother, Mehmet Sait Ergenç, is also an actor. Throughout his career, Halit Ergenç has worked with notable directors like Reha Erdem and Çağan Irmak and has received international recognition, including the International Icon of the Year award at the Lux Style Awards in Pakistan.

Halit Ergenç was born on 30 April 1970 in Istanbul, Turkey, as the son of Yeşilçam-era actor Mehmet Sait Ergenç. His maternal grandmother was of Albanian descent. Ergenç completed his secondary education at Beşiktaş Atatürk High School in 1989. Initially, he pursued a degree in Marine Engineering at Istanbul Technical University but later decided to follow his passion for the performing arts. He enrolled at the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, graduating from the Operetta and Musical Theatre Department. During his early years, he worked as a computer operator and marketer to support himself and also worked as a backing vocalist and dancer for renowned Turkish singers Ajda Pekkan and Leman Sam.

Halit Ergenç started his acting career in theater, performing at the Dormen Theatre in 1996, where he played his first leading role in the musical The King and I. He continued to act in various theatrical productions, including Kiss Me, Kate, Tatlı Charity, Beni Seviyor, Amphitrion 2000, Evita, Hayalet, Ötekiler, and Şarkılar Susarsa. He also performed in New York in the musical The Adventures of Zak and appeared in plays such as Bugün Git Yarın Gel, Popcorn, Arapsaçı, and Sevgilime Göz Kulak Ol. Ergenç gained recognition on television with his role in Kara Melek and continued to appear in series such as Köşe Kapmaca, Böyle mi Olacaktı, Dedem, Gofret ve Ben, and Zerda. In 2004, he starred alongside Sanem Çelik and Nejat İşler in Aliye. His breakthrough came in 2006 with the leading role of Onur Aksal in Binbir Gece, which aired until 2009. His portrayal of Sultan Suleiman I in Muhteşem Yüzyıl (2011–2014) solidified his status as one of Turkey's top actors. In 2016, he starred with his wife Bergüzar Korel in Vatanım Sensin. In film, Ergenç appeared in Hiç Yoktan Aşk and Ölümün El Yazısı (2000), and later starred in Babam ve Oğlum (2005), The Net 2.0, Tramway, and İlk Aşk. His notable film roles also include Devrim Arabaları, Acı Aşk, and Dersimiz Atatürk, where he portrayed Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Additionally, he played Fatali Khan Khoyski in Ali & Nino and appeared in İstanbul Kırmızısı, directed by Ferzan Özpetek. Beyond acting, Halit Ergenç was involved in the Gezi protests of 2013 and was later invited to meet with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan. In 2017, he visited Pakistan, where he was honored with the International Icon of the Year award at the Lux Style Awards, acknowledging his popularity in the country.