Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Erdem Ülker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Erdem, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
It took a great deal of honesty and self-reflection. I have spent the last couple of years being as transparent with myself as I can possibly be, which required me to bring forward my strengths and especially my weaknesses. A conversation with an old friend of mine a few months ago laid it out perfectly, and I encourage all artists to think this way: “You are already amazing. It’s more about believing in yourself than the noise we are constantly surrounded by.” This motivated me to further believe in my vision that I have laid out for myself, which is coming to fruition more and more every single day: I can only move forward if I have faith in each step I take– if I doubt those steps, I would only be holding myself back. Even on my worst day, I maintain my belief in what I came here to do and the gifts I’ve been blessed with. Nothing can take that away from me. Nothing.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Coming from a family of immigrants, I learned very quickly upon arriving to this country that my aspirations would require the utmost empathy, adaptability, and efficiency– these are the qualities that represent my approach to any craft and the things I want for my community. The absence of any one of these qualities make themselves woefully apparent, and so I would not dare to approach my work without them.
I am an actor first, currently rehearsing for two separate shows, representing a film on its festival run, and awaiting another as it is in post-production at the time of this interview.
December 10th, I will be bringing to life the role of Darius in a new, original play, “We Three Kings” by Solon Phillips, in the Jerry Orbach Theater; January 15th, 17th, & 18th, I will have the honor of playing Erkek Maras in my close friend Andy Law’s One-Act, “Blue Bottle,” directed by Burak Tatar, in association with the New York Theater Festival; an original, Award-Winning Horror-Comedy film, ‘Plane-Hop,’ is currently on its festival run and will be having its NYC premiere on December 6th at the LOOK Dine-in Cinema; ‘Rug Pull!’ by Emmy-Winning editor and filmmaker Vincent Ruiz, is currently in post-production and we are looking to begin our promotional run very soon.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Empathy, Adaptability, Efficiency.
Especially as artists, we must be open-minded, able to listen and adjust, and willing to go all-in at any given moment. What helped me understand endeavors that were truly worth my dedication was asking myself a brutally honest question: “Am I one-foot-in and one-foot-out?” If my answer is yes, it’s better to move on entirely. Fortunately, I have not had to ask myself this question much in recent times, as I center my life around the things that truly matter to me and my core values.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
Burcu and Cenk Ülker, my parents, have sacrificed a comfortable, steady lifestyle all so my brother Deniz and I could be given a better education, environment, and door for future opportunity. They’ve given me a lifelong lesson of gratitude and it is my mission to understand that more and more each day. I am indebted to them until my last breath. Annecim, Babacım: sizi çok seviyorum.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erdemerdalulker/
- Other: For Inquiries: Erdem Erdal Ülker – [email protected]
The Talent Express (Management) – [email protected]
Acting Reel https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hyy7VveQkVLicnlnMr5m6w6ZcgK_lQts/view?usp=sharing
“We Three Kings” https://www.thetheatercenter.com/we-three-kings
“Blue Bottle” https://newyorktheaterfestival.com/blue-bottle/
Image Credits
Plane-Hop poster, Joe Dao
Austin Daniel Schu & Erdem Erdal Ülker at the New York City Horror Film Festival 2025, Danny Aguirre
Digital still in blazer, Christian Briones
Professional Headshot, Christian Briones
BTS of ‘Rug Pull!’, Vincent Ruiz
Digital still in white, Umut Gundogdu
Blue Bottle poster, Andy Law
Rehearsal BTS of “We Three Kings,” Orlando Gordon
The Three Wisemen (Bill McAndrews, Martin Challinor, and Erdem Erdal Ülker) of “We Three Kings,” Solon Phillips
