Carleton Leonard Young (June 28, 1937 – February 26, 2002) was an American film and television actor.[2] He was known for playing Cord in the American western television series Gunslinger.[1][3]
Tony Young | |
---|---|
Born | Carleton Leonard Young[1] (1937-06-28)June 28, 1937 New York, U.S. |
Died | February 26, 2002(2002-02-26) (aged 64) |
Alma mater | Los Angeles City College |
Occupation | Film and television actor |
Years active | 1959–1993 |
Spouse(s) | Connie Mason
(m. 1958; div. 1962)[1] [1] |
Children | 1[2] |
Parent | Carleton G. Young (father) |
Young was born in New York, the son of Barbara Davis and Carleton G. Young, a film, radio and television actor.[1] He and his family moved to Hollywood, California in 1943.[1] Young attended University High School, Fairfax High School, and Los Angeles City College,[4] where he learned about drama and play management.[1][5] He served in the United States Air Force.[1][2]
While serving, Young worked for the American Forces Network, as he directed, produced and wrote for the broadcast service.[1][6] After being discharged, he was under contract for the 20th Century Studios.[1] Young also attended acting coach and actor Ben Bard's drama school for which he worked on jobs such as a parcel packer and parking enforcement officer to pay his tuition.[1] He began his career in 1959, appearing in the western television series Fury.[1] Young also played Cabot in the 1960 film Walk Like a Dragon, which was his film debut.[1]
Young guest-starred in television programs including Tombstone Territory, Maverick, The Streets of San Francisco, Bonanza, Mannix, Star Trek: The Original Series, Lawman, Wagon Train, 77 Sunset Strip, Mission: Impossible and Laramie.[2][5][7] He also appeared in the films He Rides Tall, Chrome and Hot Leather, Black Gunn, Charro!, Tuff Turf, Guyana: Cult of the Damned, The Outfit and Play It as It Lays.[2][7] In 1961, Young starred in the new CBS western television series Gunslinger, playing the main character, Cord. He co-starred with Preston Foster, who played Captain Zachary Wingate; Charles H. Gray who played Pico McGuire; Dee Pollock, who played Billy Urchin; Midge Ware, who played Amby Hollister; and John Pickard who played Sgt. Major Murdock.[1]
Young starred in the 1964 film Taggart along with actor, Dan Duryea.[5] He retired in 1993, last appearing in the science fiction television series Quantum Leap, where Young played actor, director, screenwriter, and visual artist John Huston.[1]
Young died in February 2002 of lung cancer at his home in West Hollywood, California, at the age of 64.[1][8]