Otis Young, the first African-American actor to co-star in a TV Western series, died Oct. 12 of a stroke in Los Angeles. He was 69.
Young co-starred in the TV series “The Outcasts,” which aired during the 1968-69 season. He is also remembered for his film role in the 1973 Jack Nicholson starrer “The Last Detail.” He later left acting and enjoyed a second career as an ordained minister and community college professor.
Born and reared in Providence, R.I., as one of 14 children, he joined the Marines at age 17 and served during the Korean War. Following his discharge, he enrolled in acting classes at NYU and later appeared in the Off Broadway production “In a Garden.” He also studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Drama in New York and appeared in theatrical productions on both U.S. coasts.
Following his stint on “The Outcasts,” Young acted occasionally into the 1980s including the miniseries “Palmerstown USA.” He later attended L.I.F.E. Bible College in Los Angeles and eventually served as senior pastor of the Elim Foursquare Gospel Chruch in Rochester, N.Y.
During the late 1980s, Young taught acting and the art of preaching at schools in Rochester. From 1989 until his retirement a decade later, he taught speech and communications at Monroe Community College in Rochester.
He is survived by wife Barbara and four children.
Family suggests donations be made to the Otis Young Memorial Fund, which will benefit the Twin Towers Orphan Fund. For further information, call (661) 633-9076.
