Nurlan Koyanbayev

Nurlan Koyanbayev
Нұрлан Қоянбаев
Koyanbayev in 2011
Born (1979-07-19) July 19, 1979
Alma materAl-Farabi Kazakh National University
Occupations
  • TV presenter
  • actor
  • filmmaker
  • comedian
Notable workKazakh Business franchise
Tüngi Studia
Member of the National Kurultai
In office
14 June 2022 – 1 March 2025
PresidentKassym-Jomart Tokayev

Nūrlan Nūğmanūly Qoianbaev[a] (Kazakh: Нұрлан Нұғманұлы Қоянбаев; born 19 July 1979) is a Kazakh filmmaker, television personality, and actor. Known previously for his work in KVN, Koyanbayev later became famous for his directing and acting work. His notable works include the Kazakh Business comedy film franchise.

Early life and education

Koyanbayev was born on July 19, 1979, in Kyzylorda Region.[1]

He studied at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University from 1996 to 2000, studying history. Koyanbayev would go on to study in the finances and pension faculty of the Economics and Law Academy from 2009 to 2011. From next year to 2015, he was studying international relations at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, getting a master's degree.[1]

Career

KVN comedian

As student, Koyanbayev rose to fame through his comedic work at KVN. At some point, he was named best KVN comedian in both Kazakhstan and Russia.[2]

Television

After his KVN career, Koyanbayev moved on to television. There, he began hosting various television shows.[2]

Koyanbayev was known on national television as late-night TV host of the Tüngi Studia (Night Studio) programme,[3] which he started hosting in 2013.[4] There, he got to interview President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev,[5] among others. The programme continued its airing in 2022 after a 5-year absence. It started being shown on the Jibek Joly TV television channel.[6]

From February 2017 to April 2022, Koyanbayev was the main director of the Qazaqstan Republic TV and Radio Corporation.[4]

Filmmaking

In 2016, Koyanbayev filmed the movie Kazakh Business, his first full-length picture.[7] The film later turned into the eponymous movie franchise, and its next sequel Kazakh Business in America (2017) earned more than 500 million tenge in the box office.[2]

In politics

In April 2022, Koyanbayev was appointed as creative director to the Television and Radio Complex of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.[2] In June of the same year, he became a member of the National Kurultai under Tokayev. He was removed from the position in March 2025.[4]

On July 1, 2024, Koyanbayev was appointed by äkim of Turkestan Region Darhan Satybaldy as his Non-Staff Advisor regarding the Development of the Creative Industry.[1]

Personal life

Koyanbayev speaks both Russian and Kazakh.[4] He is married to Aigerim Koyanbayeva.[8]

In an interview to the Jas Alaş newspaper in November 1999, Koyanbayev says that his ultimate dream is to be President of Kazakhstan.[5]

Awards and honors

  • Medal of Charity (2021)[1]

Notes

  1. ^ Often transliterated as Nurlan Koyanbayev through a Russified Romanization of Нурлан Коянбаев.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Jaqsybai, Elmira (1 July 2024). "Актер Нұрлан Қоянбаев жаңа қызметке тағайындалды". aikyn.kz (in Kazakh). Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d "Нұрлан Қоянбаев Түркістанда креативті идеялары үшін ақысыз жұмыс істемек". azattyq-ruhy.kz (in Kazakh). 2 July 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  3. ^ "Нұрлан Қоянбаев" (in Kazakh). Qazaq Radiosy. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d "Коянбаев Нурлан Нугманович". online.zakon.kz (in Russian). Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Нұрлан Қоянбаев: «Мақсатым – президент болу»". abai.kz (in Kazakh). 25 July 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  6. ^ "«Түнгі студияда Нұрлан Қоянбаев» жаңа түсірілім басталды: Мұндай форматтың болашағы бар". kaz.inform.kz (in Kazakh). 10 September 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  7. ^ Turgumbaeva, Jadi (17 April 2024). "Нурлан Коянбаев: Казахстанская комедия создала прецедент в отечественной киноиндустрии" (in Kazakh). Forbes. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  8. ^ ""Как похожи друг на друга": Нурлан Коянбаев попозировал с женой на редком фото". nur.kz (in Kazakh). 2 December 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2025.