Turkish Australian actor
Deniz Akdeniz (born 16 May 1990) is an Australian actor. After his debut in 2005, he gained early recognition for starring in the Australian remake of As the Bell Rings, from 2007 to 2009. In 2010, Akdeniz gained wider recognition for his leading role in Stuart Beattie's feature film adaptation of the novel Tomorrow, When the War Began. He then starred in the fantasy horror I, Frankenstein and drama film The Water Diviner (both 2014), before portraying Aladdin in the ABC fantasy series Once Upon a Time (2016–2017).
Akdeniz has since appeared in various critically acclaimed film and television projects, including the television series The Flight Attendant (2020–2022) and High Potential (2024–present), and the 2023 independent films You Hurt My Feelings and Dumb Money.
Early life
Akdeniz is of Turkish descent. His parents hail from Izmir, Turkey[1] and when the family emigrated to Australia, they enrolled his brother (who is seven years older) in drama classes to help him integrate socially. Akdeniz followed his brother's lead[2] and began performing at the age of eight. He honed his performance skills at The Australian Film and Television Academy (TAFTA), NIDA, St Martins Youth Theatre, and with Bruce Alexander at Melbourne Acting Studio. He made his professional debut in a 2007 production of Angels with Dirty Faces.[3]
Prior to acting, Akdeniz trained and competed professionally in Mixed martial arts (MMA).[4] He is a Victorian Jiujitsu champion.
Career
Akdeniz's first role was in the Australian film Puppy in 2005. He followed this with a regular role as Raff on the Disney television series As the Bell Rings from 2007 to 2009.
He was nominated for Best Actor at the 2010 Inside Film Awards, for his breakthrough role as Homer in the Australian box office hit Tomorrow, When the War Began.
In 2014, Akdeniz appeared in I, Frankenstein (with Aaron Eckhardt, Bill Nighy and Miranda Otto), and The Water Diviner (opposite Russell Crowe).
He played a recurring role as Aladdin in season six of the ABC television series Once Upon a Time from 2016 to 2017, and as Robb Wellens on season three of Siren in 2020.
Beginning in 2022, Akdeniz played Max in seasons 1 and 2 of the HBO Max comedic thriller The Flight Attendant (alongside Kaley Cuoco and Zosia Mamet).
He appeared in 2022 Australian-American co-production Interceptor, and in 2023 films You Hurt My Feelings (opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and Dumb Money (alongside an all-star cast).
He currently plays Lev 'Oz' Osman on television series High Potential.
Personal life
Akdeniz is engaged to long term partner, American actress Riley Dandy.[5]
He is now based in Los Angeles, but is still coached via Skype by Bruce Alexander, who now operates his studio in London.
Filmography
Film
Television
Theatre
[7]
Video games
Awards and nominations
References
External links
