Otis Young facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Otis E. Young
|
|
|---|---|
Young as Jemal David in The Outcasts, 1968.
|
|
| Born | July 4, 1932 Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
|
| Died | October 12, 2001 (aged 69) |
| Occupation | Actor |
Otis E. Young (born July 4, 1932 – died October 12, 2001) was an American actor and writer. He became well-known for his role in the TV show The Outcasts (1968–1969). In this Western series, he starred alongside Don Murray. Otis Young was a pioneer, being the second African-American actor to have a main role in a television Western. The first was Raymond St. Jacques in 1965. Young also had a memorable part in the 1973 film The Last Detail, where he played Richard "Mule" Mulhall, the partner of Jack Nicholson's character.
Contents
Early Life and Military Service
Otis Young was born in Providence, Rhode Island. He was one of 14 children in his family. When he was 17 years old, he joined the United States Marine Corps. He served his country during the Korean War. After his military service, he decided to study acting. He took classes at New York University School of Education. A famous actor, Louis Gossett Jr., was one of his classmates there.
Acting Career Highlights
Young trained as an actor at the Neighborhood Playhouse. In the early 1960s, he worked in theater, both acting and writing plays. He performed on Broadway in a play called Blues for Mister Charlie by James Baldwin. He acted alongside well-known stars like Diana Sands and Al Freeman, Jr.. His first movie role was in Murder in Mississippi in 1965.
Starring in The Outcasts
On television, Otis Young played the character of Jemal David. Jemal David was a former slave in the ABC Western series The Outcasts. This show aired from 1968 to 1969. Young also appeared in an episode of the detective show Columbo called "Identity Crisis."
Later Film Roles
After The Outcasts, Young continued to act in films. He appeared in the comedy-drama The Last Detail in 1973. Later, he took on roles in some lower-budget horror films. These included The Capture of Bigfoot in 1979 and Blood Beach in 1981.
Life After Acting
In 1983, Otis Young earned a bachelor's degree from L. I. F. E. Bible College in Los Angeles. He then became an ordained pastor. From 1986 to 1988, he served as the senior pastor of Elim Foursquare Gospel Church in Rochester, New York.
Young also shared his knowledge by teaching. From 1987 to 1991, he taught acting classes at School Without Walls. This was a public high school in Rochester. In 1989, he joined the faculty at Monroe Community College in Rochester. He worked there as a Professor of Communication and led the Drama Department until he retired in 1999.
Later Years and Passing
Otis Young suffered a stroke in Los Angeles. He passed away on October 12, 2001, at the Veterans Hospital. His second wife, Barbara, buried him in Rochester, New York. A memorial ceremony was held for him at Pepperdine University's chapel. His children, Saudia Young, Lovelady Young, El Mahdi Young, and Jemal Young, were present.
