| William Allen Young | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1954 (age 57–58) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1979–present |
William Allen Young (born January 1954) is an American actor best known for playing a role of Frank Mitchell on UPN's Moesha in 1996 and directing a few episodes of the show, and made a guest appearance on UPN's The Parkers as Frank Mitchell. His other television credits include The Day After, Matlock, Babylon 5, CBS's JAG, Knots Landing, The Jeffersons, The Women of Brewster Place, among other shows. He portrayed a recurring character on CBS's CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and a different recurring character on CBS's CSI: Miami.
Young rose from an inner-city housing project to become an award-winning actor, inspirational teacher, national orator, and humanitarian.
His illustrious acting career includes starring roles in the Academy Award-nominated film, A Soldiers Story, 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. 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. William has received critical praise for his stage performances in New York and L.A., and he has performed abroad in London, France, Italy, Austria, Sri Lanka, Russia and Africa. His latest film project, District 9, filmed on location in South Africa, was released in August 2009. He also guest starred on the 6th season of Sister, Sister
Young was born in Washington, D.C. but grew up in South Central, L.A., during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. One of seven children, he was inspired by his mother, a high-school drop out who worked as a maid before going back to school at night to get her diploma and a nursing license which led to a distinguished 20-year career in the medical profession.
He is a distinguished USC graduate and former #1 College Speaker in the Nation for two consecutive years when he led the Trojan Debate Squad to a National Championship. He holds a Masters degree in Sociolinguistics, a Bachelors degree in Rhetoric & Debate, and has lectured at major colleges and universities nationwide.
As Founder/President of the non-profit Young Center for Academic and Cultural Enrichment, Mr. Young works to inspire a new generation of ethical leaders, critical thinkers and engaged citizens to create solutions to the challenges facing our schools, our communities, and our nation.
He is the recipient of the NAACP Outstanding Social Achievement Award, USC Black Alumni Association Thomas Kilgore, Jr. Service Award, California Lottery Association Hero in Education Award, Black Hollywood Education Resource Center President’s Icon Award; Arts Council for the Disabled Humanitarian Service Award, and National Organization of Women at Work Man of the Year Award. He was recently inducted into the African-American Hall of Education and deemed an ‘Ambassador of Goodwill’ by former President Bill Clinton.
Young is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.