Metin Akpınar was born to Mustafa and Nadide Akpınar on 2 November 1941 in Aksaray, Istanbul. After completing his secondary education at the Pertevniyal High School, he completed his studies at the Istanbul University Faculties of Law and Literature. He started theatre as an amateur during his high school days at the YeşilSahne (Green Stage) in 1957 and went on with Turkish National Students Association to work as a manager at the “Theatre Hour” and “Everywhere is Theatre” campaigns. It was here he met Zeki Alasya (1943–2015) who would later become an inseparable part of his life.

He went professional in 1964 with the play GözlerimiKaparımVazifemiYaparım at the UlviUraz Theatre and also took part in HababamSınıfıin 1965 staged by the same company. Together with ZekiAlasya, he had become one of the founders of Genar Theatre in 1966 and then Devekuşu Cabaret Theatre, the first cabaret theatre of Turkey, in 1967. In addition to being its founder, partner and actor, he was the director of Devekuşu Cabaret from its inception until 1992 when it closed its doors.

Akpınar was honoured with the title of “State Artist” in 1998 and was granted the Lifetime Achievement Award of the İsmail Dümbüllü Awards (2008), AltınPortakal Film Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2010) and Istanbul Film Festival’s Honorary Award (2011). He still teaches History of Cabaret in Theatre at the Haliç and Okan universities and is the President of the Promotion Board and member of the Advisory Board of UğurMumcuInvestigative Journalism Foundation and the Honorary President of The Pertevniyal Education Foundation.

Among the countless plays he took part in are Gözlerimi Kaparım Vazifemi Yaparım, Vatan Kurtaran Şaban, Bu Şehr-i İstanbul ki,Generallerin 5 Çayı, Astronot Niyazi, Ha Bu Diyar, Gergedan, Dün Bugün, Haneler, Yalan Dünya, Biz Bize Benzeriz, Reklamlar,İnsanlığın Lüzumu Yok, Beyoğlu Beyoğlu, Yasaklar, Aşk Olsun, Geceler, DelilerandŞuna Bana Dokunduk. His movieprojectsincludemotionpictureslikeTatlı Dillim (1972), Köyden İndim Şehre (1974), Salak Milyoner (1974), Beş Milyoncuk Borç Verir Misin (1975), Nerden Çıktı Bu Velet (1975), Hasip ile Nasip (1976), Nereye Bakıyor Bu Adamlar (1976), Petrol Kralları (1978), Davetsiz Misafir (1983), Patron Duymasın (1985), Güle Güle(1999), Propaganda (1999), Abuzer Kadayıf (2000), Rus Gelin (2002), Eğreti Gelin (guestactor, 2004), Döngel Kârhanesi(2005), Kısık Ateşte 15 Dakika (2006), Eve Giden Yol 1914 (2006) andAmerikalılar Karadeniz’de 2 (2006). His projectsfortelevisionareGüler misin Ağlar mısın (1988), Biz Bize Benzeriz (1992), Zeki-Metince (1992), Hastane (1993–1996), Baykuşların Saltanatı (2000), Çat Kapı (2005), Papatyam (2009–2011) andAşkın Halleri (Oh Olsun, 2012).