Actor Icuk Nugroho, Saep Copet in Preman Pensiun, Dies

CIMAHI — The death of Icuk Nugroho leaves a clear void for viewers who grew up with Preman Pensiun. The actor, best known for playing Saep Copet in the long-running comedy series, died on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 8:51 a.m. WIB at RSUD Cibabat in Cimahi, West Java. He was 50.

Born in Cimahi on April 28, 1976, Icuk passed away after being treated at the local hospital. News of his death spread first through social media posts from fellow Preman Pensiun cast members, and the reaction was immediate. Fans, colleagues, and the wider television community were left stunned.

“Inalillahiwainailaihirojiun, our friend Cuk Nugroho (Saep Copet) has passed away today, June 20, 2026,” wrote Abenk Marco, who played Cecep, on his social media account. His message quickly became the starting point for a wave of grief across Indonesian entertainment circles.

Saep Copet and the legacy of Preman Pensiun

Saep Copet was more than a comic character. Through Icuk Nugroho’s timing, tone, and easy chemistry with other cast members, the role became one of the most recognizable figures in Indonesian television comedy. Viewers did not just laugh at the character. They remembered him.

Icuk had appeared in Preman Pensiun since 2015, spending 11 years with the series and contributing to hundreds of episodes. For many fans, the show’s staying power was inseparable from the cast’s familiarity, and Saep Copet sat right at the center of that bond.

The series itself became one of the longest-running and most watched in Indonesia. Its steady ratings reflected a formula that worked: strong writing, grounded direction, and performances that felt lived-in rather than forced. Icuk was one of the pillars.

Short. Simple. Memorable.

A wide-ranging career beyond one role

Even though Preman Pensiun brought him the widest recognition, Icuk Nugroho did not limit himself to a single project. He regularly appeared in television films, or FTVs, across drama and comedy genres. Colleagues often described him as disciplined and flexible, the kind of actor who could adjust quickly to different sets and different demands.

He also worked on web series and short films as the digital production space expanded. In several projects, he went beyond acting and contributed as a screenwriter and director. That range made him valuable in more than one room of a production house.

Outside entertainment, Icuk kept a service business for gas stoves in his hometown of Cimahi. It was not treated as a side hobby. It was part of how he lived: practical, grounded, and unwilling to depend entirely on the uncertain rhythms of the entertainment business.

That trait earned him respect. He was seen not as a distant star, but as someone who stayed close to his community and never lost touch with ordinary work.

Why his performance stayed with viewers

Icuk’s strength lay in the way he gave emotional weight to a comic role. Saep Copet was written to entertain, but Icuk added a layer of warmth that made the character feel human. That balance is harder to pull off than it looks.

In several episodes of Preman Pensiun, Saep Copet showed loyalty, tenderness, and friendship. Those details kept the character from becoming flat. Viewers laughed, yes. But they also felt something more.

That was the result of years of experience. Icuk learned from observation, from repetition, and from the feedback loop that comes with a show watched by millions. Each episode was another chance to sharpen the craft.

The impact on the Preman Pensiun family

His body was laid to rest at a funeral home in the Ngamprah area of West Bandung Regency. Family members, friends, and entertainment figures gathered to pay their respects. Many came with the same kind of story: Icuk was professional, kind, and ready to help.

Abenk Marco’s farewell message reflected that bond. “May the Almighty accept all his good deeds, forgive his sins, and grant strength, sincerity, and patience to the family left behind,” he wrote.

The grief inside the Preman Pensiun team goes beyond a workplace loss. After 11 years together, the cast and crew had built a strong emotional rhythm. They worked as a unit. Icuk’s death breaks part of that circle.

It also leaves practical questions for the series. Saep Copet was a key part of the story world, and any future production will need time to decide how to handle the character with care and respect. That is no small task.

A lasting mark on Indonesian comedy

Icuk Nugroho leaves behind a significant place in Indonesian television history. Through Saep Copet and other roles, he reached viewers across generations, from younger audiences discovering the show on television to older fans who had followed his career for years.

His comedy worked because it felt sincere. It did not rely on vulgarity or forced gimmicks. It came from character, rhythm, and an understanding of what makes people laugh without making them feel pushed.

That is why the reruns will still matter. Fans will keep returning to old episodes of Preman Pensiun, and they will still find the same easy humor and emotional familiarity. The character remains tied to the actor who made him feel real.

And for Indonesian television, the road ahead continues without him. The work will go on, but the standard he helped shape will not be easy to replace.