Akçatepe was born in Istanbul in 1938, the son of Sitki Akçatepe. In 1943, he made his debut in the film Dertli Pınar at the age of 5 and made more appearances in other films in some child roles. Akçatepe completed his studies in Saint Benoit French High School. In 1956. he joined the army and stayed there for 5 years before returning to acting.
Akçatepe became a household name for his parts in Ah Nerede Vah Nerede in 1960 and the films Yasak, Gündoğarken and Semaya baktım Seni Gördüm in 1963. In 1975, he acted in Hababam Sınıfı and then later its sequels Hababam Sınıfı Sınıfta Kaldı, Hababam Sınıfı Dokuz Doğuruyor and Hababam Sınıfı Tatilde.
