An A-Z of Actors: Y

Quite a few to choose from in ‘Y’, and most of them have the surname ‘Young’. So, I will limit my choices to just three this time, leaving room for you to add your favourites.

Susannah York was a British actress who rose to fame during the period known as ‘The Swinging Sixties’. She graduated from RADA in London, in 1958, and was soon starting out on a long stage and film career, with her first film role in ‘Tunes Of Glory’ (1960), which starred Alec Guinness. The following year she starred opposite Kenneth More in ‘The Greengage Summer’, and later appeared in the award winning film ‘Tom Jones’ (1963). During this time she also appeared regularly on television dramas in the UK, and in stage productions too. In 1968, she co-starred as the young lesbian lover of Beryl Reid, in the landmark film ‘The Killing Of Sister George’, and the following year won a BAFTA for her role in ‘They Shoot Horses Don’t they?’
She continued to work until 2009, with her last film part in ‘The Calling’. Sadly dying of Cancer in 2011, at the age of 72.

American Robert Young will be known to many as the kindly doctor from the television series ‘Marcus Welby, M.D.’, but he had a very long career. Starting out in local theatres, and as an extra in silent films, he was signed by MGM, and appeared in a ‘Charlie Chan’ film in 1931, the first of over 100 more film roles. Although he rarely starred, his support was always notable, and he was also used to fill spots in many ‘B’ films, used for the popular ‘double features’ of the time. Some of his many film appearances include ‘Western Union’ (1941), ‘The Canterville Ghost’ (1944), and ‘The Forsyte saga’ (1949). But he will undoubtedly be best-remembered for his long-running TV series. He died in 1998.

Michael York is an English actor, and star of many well-known films. He began in theatre, and later worked in both films and on television. Well-spoken, he frequently played in period dramas, and was often cast as the typical English gentleman. From 1967, until becoming ill in 2013, he rarely stopped working, and his list of credits includes Losey’s film ‘Accident’ (1967), ‘Zeppelin’ (1971), and ‘Cabaret’ (1972), with a starring role opposite Liza Minnelli. He also starred in ‘Logan’s Run’ (1975), ‘The Riddle Of The Sands’ (1979), and ‘The Return Of The Musketeers’ (1989). His career was later reinvigorated, when he appeared with Mike Myers in all three of the ‘Austin Powers’ films.