Who Is Robert Young (actor)? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Robert Young was an iconic American actor born on February 22, 1907, in Chicago, Illinois. He began his career in the entertainment industry as a teenager and quickly rose to fame in the 1930s and 1940s, becoming a household name known for his charm and versatility. Best known for his roles in television series such as "Father Knows Best" and films like “Steel Magnolias,” Young left an indelible mark on Hollywood before passing away on July 21, 1998, at the age of 91.
| Occupation | Stage Actor |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 22, 1907 |
| Age | 91 Years |
| Birth Place | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 21 July, 1998 |
| Died Place | Westlake Village, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Robert Young (actor)'s Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
- Height: 6 feet (1.83 m)
- Weight: Approximately 175 lbs (79 kg)
- Body Stats: Robert Young maintained a typical physique for his time, contributing to his screen presence. Exact measurements are hard to pin down, but he was known for his tall and charismatic stature, which resonated well with audiences.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Robert Young was married to his wife, Betty Henderson, in 1933. The couple had three children: Barbara, Linda, and Michael. Their marriage lasted until his passing in 1998, showcasing a strong, lasting bond. Throughout his life, Young maintained a private family life, often choosing not to disclose too many personal details to the public eye.
Robert George Young (February 22, 1907 – July 21, 1998) was an American film, television, and radio actor best known for his leading roles as Jim Anderson, the father character, in Father Knows Best (CBS, then NBC, then CBS again) and the physician Marcus Welby in Marcus Welby, M.D. (ABC).
In 1978, Young produced a documentary that "stressed the importance of motorcycle training for teenagers." This film earned him the 1979 BAFTA Award for Best Specialised Film.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death, Robert Young's net worth was estimated to be around $10 million. His successful career spanning several decades in film and television contributed greatly to his financial success. Throughout his life, Young was also involved in various business ventures and private investments which bolstered his earnings over the years.
As an MGM contract player, Young was obligated to accept any film assigned to him or risk being placed on suspension—and many actors who were placed on suspension were prohibited from earning a salary from any endeavor at all, even those unrelated to the film industry. In 1936, MGM summarily loaned Young to Gaumont British in the U.K.
for two films; the first, Secret Agent, was directed by Alfred Hitchcock, while the other, It's Love Again, co-starred Jessie Matthews. While in England, he was convinced that MGM intended to terminate his contract, but he was mistaken.
Career, Business, and Investments
Robert Young's career began on Broadway before transitioning to film. He gained significant recognition for his role in MGM films during the Golden Age of Hollywood. However, it was his transition to television in the 1950s that truly cemented his status. "Father Knows Best" was one of the first sitcoms to portray a wholesome family unit, and it became highly influential in American entertainment.
Apart from acting, Young had interests in real estate and investments that allowed him to sustain a comfortable lifestyle even post-retirement. His influence in television and film continues to inspire new generations of actors.
He unexpectedly received one of his most rewarding roles late in his MGM career, in H.M. Pulham, Esq. (1941), which also benefited from one of Hedy Lamarr's most effective performances. He once remarked that he was assigned only those roles which Robert Montgomery and other A-list actors had rejected.
Social Network
Although Robert Young was not active on social media during his lifetime (as platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter emerged well after his era), his legacy continues to have a digital footprint. Fans and historians regularly share tributes and memories of his work across various social media platforms. Tribute pages and fan accounts celebrate his contribution to entertainment.
After his contract with MGM expired, Young starred in light comedies and dramas for studios such as 20th Century Fox, United Artists, and RKO Radio Pictures. From 1943, Young had more challenging roles in films like Claudia, The Enchanted Cottage, They Won't Believe Me, The Second Woman, and Crossfire.
His portrayals of unsympathetic characters in several of these later films—which had seldom been the case in his MGM pictures—were applauded by numerous critics. In 1949, he returned to MGM briefly to appear in That Forsyte Woman with Errol Flynn and Greer Garson.
He played the second lead in Secret of the Incas (1954) starring Charlton Heston, the film upon which Raiders of the Lost Ark was subsequently loosely based. Despite the picture's superior quality while being shot on location at Machu Picchu, it was the last feature film in which he appeared.
Young's career had begun an incremental and almost imperceptible decline, despite a propitious beginning as a freelance actor without the nurturing of a major studio. He had continued starring as a leading man in the late 1940s and early 1950s, but only in mediocre films, and occasionally playing supporting roles in important films.
Then, he subsequently disappeared from the silver screen—only to reappear, successfully, several years later on a much smaller one.
Education
Robert Young attended Oak Park and River Forest High School and briefly studied at the University of Southern California (USC). His early education laid the groundwork for his acting career, influencing his work ethic and dedication to performance.
