**Taner Birsel (1966)** is a Turkish actor known for his intense film performances, particularly the one that earned him the Best Actor award at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival for Nuri Bilge Ceylan's *Uzak* (Distant).

Birsel is a recurring face in Turkish arthouse cinema, often associated with Ceylan's work, also appearing in *İklimler* (Climates). He has also collaborated with directors such as Reha Erdem in acclaimed films such as *Beş Vakit* (Times and Winds) and *Kosmos* (Cosmos).

His acting style is characterized by a profound naturalness and intense introspection. Birsel excels at portraying complex male characters, often melancholic or in the throes of existential dilemmas, delivering subtle yet powerful performances that reveal the nuances of the human soul.