Tony Young, the son of renowned radio, TV, and film character actor Carleton G. Young, was born in 1937 in New York, but his life took a dramatic turn when his family relocated to Hollywood, where his father's on-camera character work increased. Young's early exposure to the Hollywood industry sparked an interest in acting, which was initially encouraged by his father, who insisted that Tony receive a proper education before pursuing a career in the entertainment industry.
After completing his education, Young joined the US Air Force and later attended Los Angeles City College. He began his acting career as an NBC page, eventually landing small roles in TV shows such as Overland Trail, The Deputy, Bronco, and Laramie. Young's early work in television was followed by appearances in films like Walk Like a Dragon and The Marriage-Go-Round.
In 1961, Young was given his own weekly series, Gunslinger, a TV western in which he played a cavalry undercover agent. Although the show was short-lived, it cemented his reputation as a western actor. Young went on to appear in low-budget films like He Rides Tall and Taggart, and continued to work in television, with guest appearances on popular shows such as Star Trek, The Virginian, Medical Center, Bonanza, and The Streets of San Francisco.
Young's career took a new turn when he began working in character roles, supporting Elvis Presley in Charro! and James Garner in A Man Called Sledge. He also appeared in action-adventure and blaxploitation films, including Chrome and Hot Leather, Play It As It Lays, Black Gunn, Superchick, and The Outfit.
Throughout his life, Young was married three times to actresses, including Playboy playmate Connie Mason, Madlyn Rhue, and Sondra Currie. He was also the father of one child with Madlyn Rhue. Tragically, Young's life was cut short when he succumbed to lung cancer in 2002, at the same age as his father, who had died of cancer in 1971.
