Hayri Esen was born on May 5, 1919 in Karasi, Ottoman Empire [now Balikesir, Turkey]. He was an actor and writer, known for Hababam Sinifi Sinifta Kaldi (1975), Bergama sevdalari (1952) and Istiklal harbi (1954). He was married to Nedret Güvenç. He died on February 6, 1977 in Istanbul, Turkey.