- Sometimes people compared me to someone famous and I was flattered, but I thought to myself that, if I was ever going to be an actor, I did not want to look like anyone: I just wanted to be Can Yaman, myself, not a copy of someone else.
- Every time I post a photo with a colleague or an actress, there are always many women ready to insult them. I only ask one thing of you: that you like each other a bit more.
- [on the work of Can Yaman for Children association] My greatest dream? To see the children from the hospital being able to play again.
- [on the importance of beauty in TV industry] There are people more beautiful than me, but if looks are not accompanied by other virtues such as tenacity, fighting spirit, discipline and determination, you will not get far. Beauty alone is not enough, nor is talent.
- I get upset when something I say is twisted and presented without context so that people come to the wrong conclusion. I get stressed. I would be happy if I could express myself as I am.
- [about future plans] Growing up, I learned to live my life day by day. I hate, both in my private and professional life, the people who try to make me anxious and lead me down a path before I have even taken it.
- [about rumors and gossip] Look, I really don't want to talk about that because I get a headache just at the though of it.
- [on controlling rash emotional reactions] When I was younger, I worried about things, then slowly learned not to give them importance. So I don't take what people have to say personally. What I find most difficult, since I became famous, is not being able to give the necessary response to the disrespectful and senseless provocation. I am aware that I will be the one who will pay the consequences, negatively. That's why I'm trying to change and have a more moderate attitude.
- When I started working as a lawyer, I realized that legal practice was different from theory, and that disappointed me. It was not the job that suited my character. I tend to avoid problems. I am not the one to solve them. I like to mind my own business, not that of others, and I do not like to argue. Being an actor is better suited for me.
- I shot my first series in Turkey rather by chance and then I realized that this was the job I wanted to do. I do not think in the long term. I do one thing at a time, because even dreams can weigh you down when they get serious, and I do not like being stressed.
- [on the perks of his charity Break the Wall Tour 2023] After playing the role of a warrior in Hungary for eight months, I could hardly wait to return to Italy, which I now consider my home. This project gives me the opportunity to travel the whole country and interact with people who love me and follow me.
- [on being a child of divorced parents] My parents gave me a wonderful childhood. I have always found whatever I needed in my family.
- [on how the divorce of his parents influenced his view on love] It didn't, mainly because they never let me go without their affection, nor do I have any memory of them together. To this day, they are still friends, although the romantic feelings are long gone. Who knows why people always think that children of divorced parents are more melancholic than others...
- [on his favorite movies and series] I'm more into watching characters instead of the show. If I adore the character, if I relate to the character, I watch the series, or I watch the movie.
- [on success increasing one's fears] It may seem strange to you, but I do not know this feeling well, partly because over the years I have turned all fears into real and true challenges.
- If others did not tell me about my beauty, I would not even remember it, partly because I certainly do not spend my time looking in the mirror. But one thing is certain: I do not consider myself as beautiful as others see me. My life is about commitment and certainly not about superficiality.
- [on other TV industry members being unsupportive] I would be hypocritical if I did not tell you that there is a great deal of jealousy, but I have got used to that by now. The rivalry is enormous, but in the face of certain situations there are two best weapons: patience and smiles. If you are successful, there are always those who are ready to discredit you.
- I've always been a simple kind of guy, someone who wakes up in the morning with messy hair and leaves the house without bothering to comb it.
- [on his move to Italy] Nothing happened by chance: I studied my entire life to be ready for this, exactly where I am today.
- [on the positive and negative sides of social media] In my opinion, the era we live in is a somewhat delicate era. It can bring advantages and disadvantages. Using social media is a delicate matter. It's like having a pen. A pen, if you use it to write, write beautiful things, a poem, is a useful thing, this is the aim of a pen, but if you use it to hit someone in the eye, to harm someone, it becomes a weapon.
- [on what he looked like as a child] I have improved with time because at the beginning, honestly, I was very ugly.
- [on moving on in life] A shark, if you put it in an aquarium, never grows. If you put it in an ocean, it becomes even bigger. Maybe you're a shark, but you're in the wrong environment, little one. You always have to look for a suitable, worthy environment, where you can improve and grow.
- When I met Özge Gürel for the series Full Moon (2017), she could not walk the streets in Italy. When I became her co-star, Italians started following my work. The advantage is that I speak Italian and it was easy for them. I would like to thank Özge Gürel.
- I am glad that even children read my book and especially that I can share with them the stories of my childhood. I hope those stories will be helpful to them.
- [on being a night owl rather than a morning person] Before a certain time, I am bad-tempered, silent, grumpy and irritable, and in the afternoon, especially after sunset, I am cheerful again. A real animal of the night. It is no coincidence that I suffer from insomnia.
- [on the role of Sandokan] Kabir Bedi's legacy is not easy to deal with, but I hope I will be worthy. I am giving my best.
- I am a man who acts without taking too long, without mincing words. I follow the impulse, fast. Whatever happens will be become known in all its beauty.
- [on the reason for starting the Can Yaman for Children association] I believe that every child must have opportunities. Creating this association, I care that children have opportunities. I want to share the things I have received, I received a crazy amount love and I don't want to keep it just for myself, I want to share it.
- [on fear] When you love, you don't get scared. If you live in the present, you don't have time for fear. You should not put yourself in a state of fear for your future with conditionals, possibilities and fantasies. What sense would that make? None really.
- If one good thing doesn't happen, it means that it only leaves space for another even more intense.
- [on beauty] It can be a dark thing that overshadows everything else, but also a thing that illuminates and excites. Of course, it is not only about aesthetics. It's a totality that is perceived with eyes, brain and other organs, and makes someone tick. It's a mechanism that is never wrong: if your eyes are empty, everything becomes empty.
- [on turning difficulties and anger into positive action] Whenever there is a failure or a person talks bad about you or a person brings you down, because there are so many circumstances in life that make you angry, when you have this mindset of turn a negative thing into a positive thing, you have a superpower.
- When you are wronged, the best revenge is to walk away elegantly, with a smile, do nothing and then mold yourself, build yourself.
- [on the fact that some fans do not stop inventing stories and connecting him to women with whom he is not involved] If you want to give some people a bit of visibility, go ahead, but I don't have anything to do with it...
- [on the fact the some fans have difficulty respecting his privacy] I cannot take anymore the stalking I suffer or the assault that every woman that associates with me has to suffer if she is not the one you accept... I love you all, but I love myself too... Let's relax...
- [on his autobiography Sembra Strano Anche a Me] A book that I wanted to share with all of you so much, about the road that led me to become the man I am today, and not just an actor.
- [on filming the Italian series Viola (2022)] The first season will always have a special place in my heart for so many reasons, it was a unique experience.
- Love represents the ideal alibi for all kinds of madness.
- [on the sudden cancellation of his series Mr. Wrong (2020)] You will have to ask the big bosses. If I gave my answer, I would run the risk of saying the least appropriate thing.
- [on meeting fans on and off set] When you work, you only work and you work with love. When you no longer work you give yourself to the love for which you work.
- [on him working outside of Turkey] I am already good at my job. I am starring in a leading role in another country. I am filming roles in foreign languages. I'm taking risks and I cannot describe the difficulty, but I'm doing the best I can. I'm under constant pressure and I can handle it.
- [to Turkish journalists and bloggers who write negative news, but avoid writing anything positive] Take care of your own problems and don't worry about me. If you don't know me or don't understand me, you don't have to like me or follow me. You don't need to have any feelings about me. Mind your own business.
- [on the criticism and misinformation spread by the Turkish media] I have already stopped hoping for your applause even once in a while. If you just leave me alone, I will do my job even better.
- Abusive advances are one thing, the real fans are another. I hope the distinction is obvious. I am disturbed that newspapers automatically accept anyone with a phone in their hand as a fan. Where there is a lot of love and care, it is inevitable that there will be stalkers, harassers and opportunists. You can't be so naive that you don't see, know or understand this. To claim otherwise, you must have ulterior motives.
- [on his move to Italy] I didn't come here to eat pizza and hang out like a tourist.
- [on the misinformation in the Turkish media] My relationship with my fans is very good, so good that it once even bothered you. The problem are harassing, rude people who pretend to be my fans even tough they are not... I know you [the Turkish journalists and bloggers] like to pass judgment without even knowing what happened and wait to say whatever comes to your mind to make the news seem scandalous...
- [on not being able to meet all fans that gather on the set of Viola (2022)] We always have to rush between one scene and another when we work. I often find myself immersed in the character, thinking about how to give my best, trying to concentrate and I keep repeating the lines that I have to pronounce correctly. You should know that we do not ignore you. On the contrary, we are happy to have your support. Know that I always hug you even if not physically.
- [on meeting fans and fulfilling their requests] I always appreciate your presence and your love so much, but you must understand that when I have to say no, I have my reasons... And anyway 90 percent of the time, I stop when I'm asked for photos, videos and autographs, but I wouldn't want to be blamed for that 10 percent where I don't have the opportunity to do so.
- I would like to remind you that I am not a kid anymore who's full of energy 24 hours a day, and I am not invincible. Every now and then my body is in a lot of pain and I need rest and concentration for the following days. When the set ends, it doesn't end there for me. I go back and study the next day's script and go to bed at 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning.
- I'm sorry that sometimes I can't dedicate more time to my fans. For example, if the people are waiting for me outside for a photo after the set ends at 1 o'clock in the morning, and if I'm exhausted and the next day we have to wake up again very early, I can't stop to take photos and I just say hello. I'm sorry that because of that some make me look like the bad guy.
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