William Allen Young

Last updated

William Allen Young
Born (1954-01-24) January 24, 1954 (age 71)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • director
Years active1979–present
Spouse
Helen Patrice Moore
(m. 1986)
Children2

William Allen Young (born January 24, 1954) [1] is an American actor and director who has starred in over 100 television, stage, and film projects, including two Academy Award-nominated films, A Soldier's Story and District 9 . He is known for his roles as Frank Mitchell on UPN's Moesha , [2] [3] Dr. Rollie Guthrie on the CBS medical drama Code Black , [4] [5] [6] and as Judge Joseph Ratner on CBS's CSI Miami . His other television credits include ABC's The Day After , General Hospital , CBS's Madam Secretary , JAG , Atlanta Child Murders , and The Women of Brewster Place , among other shows. He is also credited with helping to diversify the ranks of writers, actors, directors and producers in Hollywood through the landmark 2000 TV Network Agreement, which he helped broker while serving as a former co-chair of the African-American Steering Committee of the Directors Guild of America.

Contents

Early life and education

Young was born in Washington, D.C. but grew up in South Central, Los Angeles, during the Civil Rights Movement. One of seven children, he was inspired by his mother, Mother Joan Walker of California Southwest Jurisdiction, a high-school dropout who worked as a maid before returning to school at night to get her diploma and a nursing license, which led to a career in the medical profession.

Career

His acting career includes starring roles in the Academy Award-nominated film, A Soldier's Story, and in Women of Brewster Place, The Atlanta Child Murders, Simple Justice, Sins , Lock Up , and In the Belly of the Beast, and the award-winning Lifetime series Any Day Now . He guest starred in the 6th-season episode "Home Court Advantage" of Sister, Sister in 1999. Millions of viewers still recognize him as Frank Mitchell, the tough-but-loving father, on the hit TV show, Moesha , or as Chief Judge Ratner on CSI: Miami . Young has received critical praise for his stage performances in New York City and Los Angeles, and he has performed abroad in Africa, Austria, France, Italy, London, Sri Lanka, and Russia. Young appears in the movie District 9 , filmed on location in South Africa, and released in August 2009. He starred as Harry Wentz on the Disney Channel Original Series Good Luck Charlie (2010-2014). In 2013, Young reunited with Moesha co-star Brandy Norwood on the season six episode, "The Blueprint" on the television show The Game . In 2013, Young made a guest appearance in Madam Secretary episode "The Show Must Go On" as United States Deputy Secretary of State Steven Cushing.

Personal life

He has been married to Helen Patrice Moore since November 8, 1986. They have two children. [7]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1980 The Jeffersons ErnieEpisode: "Florence's Cousin"
1982 Fame Robert SummersEpisode: "Passing Grade"
1983 The Day After Billy McCoy
1984 A Soldier's Story Private Henson
1985 The Atlanta Child Murders Withers
1985 Jagged Edge Greg Arnold
1986 Wisdom Agent Williamson
1988 227 Tony LangfordEpisode: "The Roommate"
1988 Amen Roger HollowayEpisode: "Wedding Bell Blues"
1989 The Women of Brewster Place Eugene
1989 Lock Up Braden
1992 The Waterdance Les
1992Spies Inc.Rob
1993 Home Improvement GusEpisode: "Arrivederci, Binford"
1994Almost DeadHenzes
1994 Babylon 5 Jason Ironheart
1994 The Sinbad Show CurtisEpisode: "Adoption: Part 1"
1994 Diagnosis: Murder Alexander DamonEpisode: "A Very Fatal Funeral"
1994 Drop Squad George Truelove
1995 Murphy Brown Lawyer #1Episode: "Murphy's Law"
1996–2001 Moesha Frank MitchellMain Cast
1998 Sister, Sister T.C. BanksEpisode: "Home Court Advantage", uncredited
2000 The Parkers Frank MitchellEpisode: "A Simple Plan"
2001 Soul Food Coach John RobinsonEpisode: "Never Can Say Goodbye"
2001–2002 Any Day Now Clyde Turk Terhune14 episodes
2003 Fear X Agent Lawrence
2003 The District Reverend HamiltonEpisode: "Untouchable"
2003 The Agency Police InterrogatorEpisode: "Coventry"
2003 The Proud Family Mr. MoodyEpisode: "Pulp Boot Camp"
2004 JAG Henry KaleEpisode: "Retrial"
2004–2006 CSI: Miami Chief Judge Joseph Ratner3 episodes
2005–2007 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Duane McWane4 episodes
2008 Saving Grace Robbery DetectiveEpisode: "This Is Way Too Normal For You"
2008 The Mentalist Matt EtienneEpisode: "Red-Handed"
2009 District 9 Dirk Michaels
2009 Medium Wesley JudsonEpisode: "You Give Me Fever"
2010 Castle Jerry CamdenEpisode: "Anatomy of a Murder"
2010 Detroit 1-8-7 Dr. Jonathan DozierEpisode: "Home Invasion/Drive-By"
2011Fatal ConsequencesThomas Shaw
2011-2014 Good Luck Charlie Harry Wentz7 episodes
2013 The Game Colonel Westbrook3 episodes
2014–2019 General Hospital Judge David Walters4 episodes
2015–2018 Code Black Dr. Rollie GuthrieMain Cast
2018 Good Girls Lawyer2 episodes
2021–2023 9-1-1: Lone Star Benjamin Williams3 episodes
2022 CSI: Vegas Professor Gene MorrowSeason 2 Episode 5: In Harm's Way
2024 S.W.A.T. Coach Howie KincaidSeason 8 Episode 1: Vanished

References

  1. Rose, Mike (January 24, 2023). "Today's famous birthdays list for January 24, 2023 includes celebrities Neil Diamond, Aaron Neville". Cleveland.com . Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  2. "The Cast of Moesha: Where Are They Now?". The Root. September 29, 2016. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  3. "A 'Moesha' Reboot Is on the Way". Vibe. December 5, 2019. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  4. "CBS "Code Black" star, William Allen Young to Host Film Festival". Los Angeles Sentinel. April 5, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  5. Petski, Denise (May 24, 2018). "'Code Black' Canceled After Three Seasons at CBS". Deadline. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  6. "Saving Grace: William Allen Young". La Focus Newspaper. October 1, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  7. "William Allen Young - IMDb" via www.imdb.com.