Otis Young
Biography
Otis E. Young was an African-American actor born in Providence, Rhode Island, on July 4, 1932. He passed away on October 11, 2001, at the age of 69. He was the second African-American actor to co-star in a television Western, appearing in The Outcasts from 1968 to 1969 alongside Don Murray. The first was Raymond St Jacques, who co-starred on the final season of Rawhide in 1965 as cattle drover Simon Blake. Young also played a memorable role as Jack Nicholson's shore-patrol partner in the 1973 comedy-drama film The Last Detail. One of 14 children, he joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 and served in the Korean War. He subsequently enrolled in acting classes at the New York University School of Education, where his classmate was Louis.
Career overview
Otis E. Young was an African American actor born on July 4, 1932, in Providence, Rhode Island, and he passed away on October 11, 2001. Prior to his acting career, Young enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of seventeen and served in the Korean War. He later enrolled in acting classes at the New York University School of Education.
In television, Young achieved notable distinction as only the second African American actor to co-star in a television Western. He co-starred in the television series The Outcasts, which aired from 1968 to 1969, alongside Don Murray. The first African American actor to achieve this milestone was Raymond St Jacques, who co-starred on the final season of Rawhide in 1965 as cattle drover Simon Blake. Young also secured a memorable film role as Jack Nicholson's shore-patrol partner in the 1973 comedy drama film The Last Detail. In addition to these projects, his acting work is associated with titles such as East Side/West Side, Ellery Queen, and Run for Your Life.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
20 titles- After Image (2001) as Egg Factory Foreman
- Partners in Crime (1984)
- Hill Street Blues (1981)
- Blood Beach (1980) as Lieutenant Piantadosi
- The Hollywood Knights (1980) as Waiter
- The Capture of Bigfoot (1979) as Jason
- Twin Detectives (1976) as Cartwright
- Survival (1976)
- Ellery Queen (1975)
- Get Christie Love! (1974) as Jack Hill
- The Last Detail (1973) as Richard 'Mule' Mulhall
- The Clones (1973) as Sawyer
- Columbo (1971) as Lawrence Melville
- Cannon (1971)
- The Outcasts (1968) as Jemal David
- Don't Just Stand There (1968) as Bill Elkins
- Counterpoint (1967)
- Valley of Mystery (1967) as Dr. John Quincy
- The F.B.I. (1965) as Mike Watson
- Daniel Boone (1964) as Adam
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Otis Young best known for?
Otis Young is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Partners in Crime (1984), Hill Street Blues (1981), Blood Beach (1980), Luxo Jr. (1986).
When and where was Otis Young born?
Otis Young was born on July 4, 1932 in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. They passed away on October 11, 2001.
How many credits does Otis Young have?
Otis Young has accumulated over 20 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1964 to 2001.
What is Otis Young's background in cinema and television?
Otis E. Young was an African-American actor born in Providence, Rhode Island, on July 4, 1932. He passed away on October 11, 2001, at the age of 69. He was the second African-American actor to co-star in a television Western, appearing in The Outcasts from 1968 to 1969 alongside Don Murray. The first was Raymond St Jac...
Otis Young by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Get Christie Love! (1974) as Jack Hill — aged about 41
- Columbo (1971) as Lawrence Melville — aged about 38
- Hill Street Blues (1981) — aged about 48
- Ellery Queen (1975) — aged about 42
- The Last Detail (1973) as Richard 'Mule' Mulhall — aged about 40
- Daniel Boone (1964) as Adam — aged about 31
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