How a British priest redirected a Turkish student's destiny from priesthood to acting
In short: Born in Turkey and destined for the clergy, Kevork Malikyan's path seemed set by financial necessity. Yet, a chance encounter with an Oxford-educated teacher changed everything, trading a life of religious devotion for a career on the silver screen and international television.
Kevork Malikyan’s journey began in Diyarbakır, Turkey, where he was born to Armenian parents. At age 10, facing his family's financial struggles, he was sent to Istanbul to attend a religious seminary in Üsküdar. This move was intended to prepare him for the priesthood, a path facilitated by an archbishop's initiative to provide education for the children of poor Armenian families. Before the seminary, Malikyan spent two years at the Karagözyan Orphanage in Şişli.
The pivot toward acting occurred during his time in the seminary, where students performed plays in both Turkish and Armenian. An English teacher, Father Harding—an Oxford graduate and historian—witnessed Malikyan's talent while preparing a production of Shakespeare's Richard III. Recognizing the boy's potential, Harding advised the headmaster that Malikyan should pursue acting instead of the clergy. When faced with the choice, Malikyan's financial situation remained a hurdle, but Harding eventually secured a scholarship for him in Britain.
After graduating from the Surp Haç Armenian High School in Istanbul, Malikyan moved to London in 1963 to study at Rose Bruford College. He eventually achieved international recognition, most notably as Max Papandrious in the sitcom Mind Your Language, which reached 18 million viewers at its peak. His film career included roles in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, directed by Steven Spielberg, and the Academy Award-winning Midnight Express. Beyond the screen, Malikyan has returned to his roots, performing Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre and teaching in Istanbul.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Kevork Malikyan
- Also: Wikidata — Kevork Malikyan · CC0
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