Martin Yan
Acting
Biography
Martin Yan (Chinese: 甄文達, Zhen Wenda) is a Chinese-American chef and food writer. He has hosted his award-winning PBS-TV cooking show Yan Can Cook since 1982. He has acted in films as both himself and characters and published a variety of books.
Known For

A cartoon superhero interacts with live guests via his television set in this parody talk show based on 1960s Hanna-Barbera cartoon character Space Ghost.
Space Ghost Coast to Coast

A father brings a young child to an emergency room to get treatment for a minor injury occurring in an innocent accident, but he gets accused of child abuse. Child welfare agencies commit grossly unfair over-reactions to remove the child forcibly from the Father, who must brave the arcane system to reclaim his daughter.
Improper Channels

With her elder two sons being gay, a traditionally-minded mother fears her youngest son could be too, thereby losing her last chance to have any grandchildren. With help from a friend she takes in a female French foreign exchange student, who ends up teaching the family a lot about life, acceptance, and love.
Rice Rhapsody

Zoe Tay, Martin Yan and Christopher Ming-Shun Lee star in this telemovie about a resolute divorcee who loses her financial assets after the divorce. She works hard in a restaurant business and later becomes successful.
Love Knows No Bounds

The meteoric rise and shocking downfall of America's most famous TV chef, The Frugal Gourmet's Jeff Smith, whose charm captivated millions—until it all came crashing down.
I Bid You Peace: The Rise & Fall of the Frugal Gourmet

Chef Martin Yan explores the many aspects of how food and spices helped shape the history and culture of western China. In this culinary journey, he also examines daily life in the region - from a whirlwind tour of street snacks to a leisurely cup of tea at historical tea houses. Back in the kitchen, Yan demonstrates his own take on the flavors and dishes of western China.
Yan Can Cook: Spice Kingdom

A culinary kaleidoscope bringing the sights, sounds and flavors of Chinatowns around the world into viewers' homes. Martin visits private homes and exotic markets, then demonstrates the finer points of preparing his favorite Chinese foods.