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William Allen Young
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William Allen Young

William Allen Young starred as Private Henson in the Academy Award nominated film A Soldier's Story. He later starred as Howard Bouchard in the series Mariah and was Cliff Templeton in Knots Landing. He has received critical acclaim for his performances in The Women of Brewster Place, Serving in Silence, The Atlanta Child Murders, Simple Justice, The Day After and Wisdom (an NAACP Image Award nominee). His numerous television credits also include Murphy Brown, Chicago Hope, Home Improvement, Divas, Babylon 5 and L.A. Law.

He has co-written several screenplays including Facing the Enemy (Best American Screenplays finalist).

Born with a foot deformity that forced him to wear orthopedic shoes throughout most of his early childhood, he began acting at age 13 to bolster his self-esteem. At age 15, he received a scholarship to study at the famed Inner City Acting Academy with Beah Richards and later at the Masters Company under the direction of his mentor, actor/director John Houseman. He holds a bachelor's degree in rhetoric, a master's degree in sociolinguistics and was twice rated the Top Collegiate Speaker in the Nation by the National Forensic Association. He has studied and performed abroad in France, Italy, Austria, Sri Lanka and Russia, and has lectured at colleges and universities throughout the nation.

In 1985, Young and his family created The Young Foundation, an organization that mentors and provides scholarships for disadvantaged youth to encourage them to continue their education beyond high school. For his efforts, Young received the NAACP's Outstanding Social Achievement Award. He also received the distinguished Humanitarian Service Award for his years of work with disabled children and was recognized by The National Organization of Women at Work who unanimously selected him as the 1997 Man of the Year.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2000.

William Allen Young Facts

OccupationActor
BirthplaceWashington DC, District of Columbia, USA

Selected Filmography

Not available.