Iconic Turkish actor Rasim Öztekin passed away on March 8 at an Istanbul hospital following a heart attack on Sunday. He was 62. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca shared the tragic news and said, "Actor Rasim Öztekin lost his life at the Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital after suffering from heart trouble. He was a family member in every home with a television." Known for his performances in films, television, including theater, Öztekin had a history of heart problems, with the local media reporting that the veteran actor's pacemaker was replaced in 2018. 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan extended his heartfelt tributes and paid his "condolences to his family, all his admirers, and to our artistic community". Sharing a photo of Öztekin wearing the turban of Hasan Efendi, Erdoğan wrote, "I deeply regret the death of Rasim Öztekin, one of our country's great performers." Öztekin was born in Istanbul in 1959 and is known for his collaboration with legendary veteran theater actor Ferhan Sensoy. In a moment of rarity, Sensoy handed over to Öztekin a symbolic award for traditional Turkish theater titled Hasan Efendi Turban, named after a pioneering comedian. Öztekin in 2020 passed on the award to fellow thespian Şevket Çoruh owing to problems related to his failing health. Turkish celebrities, leading political figures, including fans took to social media on Monday to honor the actor by sharing pictures and videos of Öztekin’s memorable performances. 

Popular comedian Cem Yılmaz on Instagram posted a photo with Öztekin from the shooting spot of a film they worked together and reminisced about their "beautiful days". Similarly, many leading Turkish politicians too paid their tributes to Öztekin and grieved his demise among whom included Vice President Fuat Oktay, Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, IYI (Good) Party leader Meral Akşener, and Felicity (Saadet) Party head Temel Karamollaoğlu.