Clifton Young
Robert Howard Young (September 15, 1917 – September 10, 1951) professionally known as Clifton Young, was an American film actor.
Clifton Young | |
|---|---|
Young as "Bonedust" in his first sound film, School's Out (1930) | |
| Born | Robert Howard Young September 15, 1917 Schenectady, New York City, U.S. |
| Died | September 10, 1951 (aged 33) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Hotel fire |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1925–1951 |
Early years Edit
Young was the son of Edward A. and Eva (Clifton) Young. His father started him in vaudeville when he was 5 years old. When he was 7, he began acting in Our Gang comedies.[1] Young was drafted into the Army during World War II, serving in the South Pacific.[2]
Career Edit
Young played "Bonedust" in nineteen Our Gang films from 1925 to 1931, his most notable film being School's Out. As an adult, to avoid confusion with established star Robert Young, he took his mother's maiden name, Clifton, as his screen name.
Young became a contract player at Warner Bros., landing small parts in a number of 1940s film noir and western films. Notable credits include Nora Prentiss, Pursued, Possessed, Dark Passage, and Blood on the Moon.[3]
While at Warners, Young was featured prominently in the Joe McDoakes comedy shorts. He played a variety of roles: a craven mobster in So You Want to Be a Detective, a department-store clerk in So You're Going on Vacation, and memorably as "Homer," Joe's brash, know-it-all office colleague in several McDoakes reels.
One of Young's last films was the Roy Rogers western Trail of Robin Hood, in which he played a sneering villain.
Death Edit
Young died on September 10, 1951, in a hotel fire that started when he fell asleep while smoking.[3]
Filmography Edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1927 | Three's a Crowd | Minor Role – as Bobby Young | Uncredited |
| 1928 | The Circus Kid | Boy at Orphanage | Uncredited |
| 1931 | Sidewalks of New York | Street Gang Member | Uncredited |
| 1935 | Bright Lights | Piano Player at Party | Uncredited |
| 1936 | Small Town Girl | Boy in Car in Montage | Uncredited |
| 1936 | The Lonely Trail | Murdered Rancher's Son | Uncredited |
| 1936 | Hearts in Bondage | Young man waiting to enlist | Uncredited |
| 1936 | The President's Mystery | Townsman | Uncredited |
| 1945 | The Master Key | Loft Building Henchman | Serial, Uncredited |
| 1946 | Two Guys from Milwaukee | Joe – Motorcycle Cop | Uncredited |
| 1946 | Cloak and Dagger | American Commander | Uncredited |
| 1946 | Deception | Taxi Driver | Uncredited |
| 1947 | The Unfaithful | Charlie | Voice, Uncredited |
| 1947 | Nora Prentiss | Policeman arresting Truck Driver | Uncredited |
| 1947 | That Way with Women | Irate Baseball Fan | Uncredited |
| 1947 | Pursued | The Sergeant | |
| 1947 | Possessed | Interne | |
| 1947 | Dark Passage | Baker | |
| 1947 | Always Together | Reporter | Uncredited |
| 1947 | My Wild Irish Rose | Joe Brennan | |
| 1948 | The Treasure of the Sierra Madre | Flophouse Bum | Uncredited |
| 1948 | Two Guys from Texas | Announcer | Uncredited |
| 1948 | Blood on the Moon | Joe Shotten | |
| 1948 | Whiplash | Gunman | Uncredited |
| 1949 | My Dream Is Yours | Schwab's Counterman | Voice, Uncredited |
| 1949 | Illegal Entry | Billy Rafferty | |
| 1949 | Calamity Jane and Sam Bass | Link | |
| 1949 | Abandoned | Eddie | |
| 1950 | Bells of Coronado | Ross | |
| 1950 | Backfire | Cabby | Uncredited |
| 1950 | Borderline | Suspect Questioned by Whittaker | Uncredited |
| 1950 | A Woman of Distinction | Chet – Photographer | Uncredited |
| 1950 | Salt Lake Raiders | Luke Condor | |
| 1950 | Union Station | Ambulance Driver | Uncredited |
| 1950 | The Return of Jesse James | Bob Ford | |
| 1950 | Trail of Robin Hood | Mitch McCall | |
| 1951 | Up Front | Clerk | Uncredited |
| 1951 | The Redhead and the Cowboy | Southern Spy | Uncredited |
| 1951 | Love Nest | Uncredited | |
| 1952 | Zombies of the Stratosphere | Ross – Smuggler Boss | Serial, [Ch. 4], Uncredited, (final film role) |
References Edit
- ^ "Actor Clifton Young Dies in Hotel Fire". The Gazette. Canada, Montreal. Associated Press. September 11, 1951. p. 14. Retrieved September 10, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Clifton Young Bio at IMDb. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ^ a b Maltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard W. (1977, rev. 1992). The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang, p. 281. New York: Crown Publishing/Three Rivers Press. ISBN 0-517-58325-9
External links Edit
- Clifton Young at IMDb
- Clifton Young at Find a Grave