Can Yaman

Can Yaman is a Turkish actor and former lawyer whose journey from the courtroom to international stardom has become one of the more unlikely success stories in modern Turkish entertainment. Born in Istanbul in November 1989 to a family with Turkish and Macedonian roots, he brings an intellectual rigour and a restless energy to everything he does — on screen and off it.

Early life and education

Can Yaman grew up in Istanbul and pursued law seriously, earning his degree from Yeditepe University. It was not a half-hearted pursuit — law is a demanding discipline — but his passion for acting eventually proved stronger than his commitment to a legal career. His multilingualism, which includes Turkish, Italian, English and Albanian, reflects both his multicultural heritage and his natural aptitude for communication, and it has since opened doors in the Italian entertainment industry that remain firmly closed to most Turkish actors.

He is also known for his charitable work in support of children’s education and health initiatives, which he has maintained alongside his increasingly global career.

Awards and recognition

Can Yaman’s television breakthrough came with Erkenci Kuş (Daydreamer), in which he played the free-spirited photographer Can Divit — a role that earned him the Murex d’Or Award for Best Foreign Actor in 2019 and cemented his status as a major star. He had previously appeared in Dolunay (Full Moon) as Ferit Aslan and later played the chef Özgür Atasoy in Bay Yanlış (Mr. Wrong). His Italian crossover began with Viola Come il Mare, in which he played Francesco Demir, and continued with the Disney+ historical series El Turco, where he stars as Hasan Balaban. He is also set to appear in a new adaptation of the Italian adventure classic Sandokan. His Golden Butterfly wins include Best Romantic Comedy Actor (2018, Erkenci Kuş). He remains one of the most followed Turkish actors internationally, with a particularly dedicated fan base across Europe and the Arab world.