Otis Young
Otis E. Young (born July 4, 1932 in Providence , Rhode Island , † October 11, 2001 in Los Angeles , California ) was an American actor and peace activist.
Life
Young was born in Providence and had 13 siblings. At the age of 17, he joined the US Marine Corps and served his country in the Korean War . He then learned acting at New York University School of Education , where he attended the same class as Louis Gossett Jr.
He learned at the Neighborhood Playhouse and worked off-Broadway as an actor and writer. On Broadway, he starred in James Baldwin's Blues for Mister Charlie . He stood with Diana Sands and Al Freeman, Jr. on stage. His first film was Murder in Mississippi (1965). Young starred in the western series The Outcasts (1968-1969) with Don Murray . Young was the second African American to star in a western series after Raymond St. Jacques . He portrayed Simon Blake in the final season of Rawhide .
One of his most important films was the critically acclaimed The Last Command . Here he played the lead role with Jack Nicholson .
In 1983 Young received a bachelor's degree from LIFE Bible College in Los Angeles and became a pastor. He served as pastor at Elim Foursquare Gospel Church in Rochester , New York , between 1986 and 1988.
He taught acting at the Without Walls School in Rochester, New York between 1987 and 1991. In 1989 he worked at Monroe Community College in Rochester. He was Professor of Communication and Head of the Drama Department there until his retirement in 1999. Otis Young suffered a stroke in 2001 and died. His second wife Barbara and children Saudia Young, Lovelady Young, El Mahdi Young, and Jemal Young survived him.
The memorial service took place in the Chapel of Pepperdine University .
Filmography (selection)
- 1973: The Last Detail (The Last Detail)
- 1980: Blood Beach - Horror am Strand (Blood Beach)
- 1980: The Hollywood Knights
Web links
- Otis Young in the African American Registry
- Otis Young in the Internet Movie Database (English)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Young, Otis |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Young, Otis E. (full name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American actor and peace activist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 4th July 1932 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Providence , Rhode Island |
| DATE OF DEATH | October 11, 2001 |
| Place of death | los Angeles |