Rico Yan (/jæn/; born Ricardo Carlos Castro Yan; March 14, 1975 – March 29, 2002) was a Filipino matinee idol, model, film and television actor, host, spokesperson and entrepreneur.

Yan graduated from De La Salle University in 1997 with a degree in Marketing Management. He was the first official youth spokesman for the Department of Education Culture and Sports in 1998, touring the Philippines for free to promote education among youths. As well as establishing Pinoy Yan Movement, a non-profit organization that aims to make young people stay in school and value education. He assisted the Are You a Forest King? Foundation, visiting many schools to promote the importance of tree growth. Yan was also the first Philippine National Red Cross Pledge 25 Spokesperson in 1999.

He was an alumnus of Star Circle Batch 1 now ABS-CBN's Star Magic in November 1995. He started as commercial model under Cosmopolitan Modeling Agency and then became an actor. He was discovered while falling in line in one of the fast food in his school De La Salle University when a talent scout asked him if he wanted to be a commercial model. Though surprised, Yan auditioned and got the part of his first television commercial debut in 1995.

His preppy rich persona was used to effect in subsequent films such as Radio Romance, Ama, Ina, Anak and Madrasta. After several television and movie parts, Yan became a household name when he played Ricky Salveron on Gimik (1996) and Gabriel Maglayon on Mula Sa Puso (1997). He had then spawned highly rated television shows amongst these are Mara Clara (1996), 'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila (1996), Saan Ka Man Naroroon (1999), Magandang Tanghali Bayan (2001) and Whattamen (2001). Yan's remarkable films in Star Cinemaadd Paano Ang Puso Ko? (1997), Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay (1998), Dahil Mahal Na Mahal Kita (1998), Gimik: The Reunion (1999) and Got 2 Believe (2002). In 2014, Star Cinemaranked him the No. 5 in the List of "The Kings of Star Cinema", twelve years after his demise. Yan starred in communically successful television and films with pairings opposite Judy Ann Santos and Claudine Barretto.

Yan was also a successful strategist entrepreneur having owned several businesses before his demise. Amongst these are Orbits Pearl Shakes, Java Hut, Buddy Burger, Timbuktu Cafe and Tequila Joe Grill and Restaurants.

Yan had a column on Manila Bulletin titled "C'est la Vie".

Biography

Fr. Tito Caluag who was Yan's spiritual adviser before his death disclosed that Yan wanted to become president. "Rico wanted to be a leader but never mentioned leadership because he only wanted to serve. He wanted to be like JFK who gave America a sense of pride and class, and inspired his people." said Caluag.