Ferih Egemen, born into a Karakaş family Istanbul in 1916, was a pioneering figure in Turkish theater, celebrated as an actor, director, writer, educator, and voice actor. Often referred to as the Muhsin Ertuğrul of children's theater, Egemen’s lifelong dedication to the stage established him as the cornerstone of children’s theater in Turkey.
His theatrical journey began with the support of Muhsin Ertuğrul, the doyen of Turkish theater, when he joined Darülbedayi (later known as Istanbul Şehir Tiyatroları / Istanbul City Theaters). Egemen made his stage debut in Zeynep of the Seven Villages and went on to perform in numerous acclaimed productions, including Üç Saat, Sarı Zeybek, Lüküs Hayat, and Büyük İkramiye.

Egemen’s talents extended beyond the stage to the silver screen, where he appeared in notable films such as:
•⁠ ⁠Bir Millet Uyanıyor (1932)
•⁠ ⁠Söz Bir Allah Bir (1933)
•⁠ ⁠Karım Beni Aldatırsa (1933)
•⁠ ⁠Cici Berber (1933)
•⁠ ⁠Göçmen Çocuğu (1952)

In later years, he continued his involvement with cinema as a sought-after voice actor, bringing characters to life with his distinctive voice.
In 1935, Egemen starred in İlk Tiyatro Dersi (First Theater Lesson), written by Kemal Küçük, and played the lead role in Küçük’s second play, Gülmeyen Çocuk (The Child Who Doesn’t Laugh). His passion for theater soon evolved into an unwavering commitment to the development of children’s theater. Until his retirement, he worked tirelessly to establish and nurture this art form, becoming its true founding figure in Turkey.

As an educator at the City Theaters, Egemen mentored countless young talents, many of whom went on to become prominent figures in Turkish arts, including Selim Naşit, Suna Pekuysal, Adile Naşit, and Gazanfer Özcan. His influence extended beyond the theater to schools across Istanbul, where he directed children’s plays and fostered a love for the performing arts among new generations.

Throughout his prolific career, Egemen performed in 126 plays and wrote and directed numerous children’s productions. His published works include beloved titles such as In the Land of Dreams, The Fountain of Harami, The Magic Top, The Secret Garden, Little Chief, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, I Didn’t Steal, The Village School, What Happened to the Tombi, and Three Stories. He also co-authored Golden Chain with Gülhiz Tozar.

Egemen was particularly renowned for staging musical plays for children, leaving an indelible mark on Turkish cultural life. His final stage performance was in 1971. Honoring his legacy, Istanbul Municipality City Theaters opened the Gaziosmanpaşa Ferih Egemen Children’s Stage in 2009, within the arts complex built by the Municipality of Gaziosmanpaşa.

Ferih Egemen passed away on October 12, 1978, and was laid to rest in Bülbülderesi Cemetery.