William Young

Background

Young was born in Washington, District of Columbia but grew up in South Central, Los Angeles, during the Civil Rights Movement.

Career

His other television credits include The Day After, Matlock, Babylon 5, Columbia Broadcasting System"s Judge Advocate General, Knots Landing, The Jeffersons, and The Women of Brewster Place, among other shows. He portrayed a recurring character on Columbia Broadcasting System"s Computer Society of India: Crime Scene Investigation and a different recurring character on Columbia Broadcasting System"s Computer Society of India: Miami. William currently plays Doctor Rollie Guthrie on the Columbia Broadcasting System medical drama Code Black.

One of seven children, he was inspired by his mother, a high-school dropout who worked as a maid before returning to school at night to get her diploma and a nursing license, which led to a career in the medical profession.

Millions of viewers still recognize him as Frank Mitchell, the tough-but-loving father, on the hit television show, Moesha, or as Chief Judge Ratner on Computer Society of India: Miami. William has received critical praise for his stage performances in New York and Los Los Angeles, and he has performed abroad in Africa, Austria, France, Italy, London, Sri Lanka, and Russia.

His 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.

He has also recently starred as Harry Wentz on the Disney Channel Original Series Good Luck Charlie.

In 2013, Young reunited with Moesha co-star Brandy Norwood on the season six episode, "The Blueprint" on the television show The Game. He is a University of Southern California 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 master"s degree in Sociolinguistics, a bachelor"s degree in Rhetoric & Debate, and has lectured at major colleges and universities nationwide.

He was recently inducted into the African-American Hall of Education and deemed an Ambassador of Goodwill by former President Bill Clinton.

Achievements

• His acting career includes starring roles in the Academy Award-nominated film, A Soldier"s Story, and in 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 Number. He is the founder/president of the non-profit Young Center for Academic and Cultural Enrichment. He is the recipient of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Outstanding Social Achievement Award, University of Southern California Black Alumni Association Thomas Kilgore, Junior. 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 Manitoba of the Year Award.

Membership

He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.