Nickolas Ray Young is an American actor who appeared in the films Friend of the World (2020) and Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2023), television movies El Diablo (1990) and Geronimo (1993), and OnStage Playhouse's productions of The Diary of Anne Frank (2011) and The Other Place (2022). Young began working on television in Arizona throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s before moving to San Diego County for film and theater work in the 2010s.
Early life
Young was born to Elois Roain Drayfahl and Duain Francis Young. He became interested in performing arts while in grade school, was on the track teamPetruska, Dave (1977-06-04). Godbout, Walker head track team. Tucson Citizen, 12. and played American football as an offensive lineman at Palo Verde High Magnet School. After high school, Young majored in drama at Pima Community College. While there, he qualified for the National Junior College Athletic Association championships(1981-05-31). Four join Pima track team. Arizona Daily Star, 26. after winning the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference for the discus throw but he was unable to place.(1981-02-26). Distance crew PCC strong point. Arizona Daily Star, 6.
Career
1980–2008: Acting and firefighting career Young acted in many television movies and shows in Tucson and Phoenix while pursuing a career as a firefighter. He was appointed to the Tucson Fire Department on June 16, 1980. In 1981, Young received an electric shock while working with another fireman who suffered steam burns. Both were treated for non-serious injuries.(1981-05-15). Three fires in two days laid to arson. Arizona Daily Star, 14. Young was promoted to engineer on May 8, 1988, and retired on February 28, 2008.
2011–2023: Return to acting After retiring as a fireman, Young relocated to San Diego County where he performed in stage plays such as The Diary of Anne Frank, The Other Place and Kimberly Akimbo. He was cast in films such as Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea, The Case of: Dakota Moore, I Brake for Caterpillars as well as a Filmapalooza qualifying 48-hour short film called Con Boys.
2020: Friend of the World
Young auditioned for Friend of the World by submitting a mobile video and he was cast as Gore, a lead role. Several film critics admired his performance and he was nominated for Best Actor at the San Diego Film Awards. The film was distributed by Troma Entertainment.
Ally Ham at Video Librarian said Young's chemistry with co-star Alexandra Slade was engaging but also out of place at times. Rob Rector at Film Threat and John Noonan at FilmInk noticed his character seemed to be inspired from Dr. Strangelove. Film critic Daniel M. Kimmel said Young proficiently expresses his character's thoughts and Cheryl Eddy at Gizmodo claims he has an "unhinged aura of someone who's been alone too long." Young's performance has been compared to John Goodman, Bruce Campbell and Sterling Hayden while director Brian Patrick Butler said his character is like John Wayne, casting him for his "grimness and humor."
Stage credits YearTitleRoleLocationNotes2011Pride and PrejudiceMr. WickhamOnStage Playhouse, Chula Vista, CaliforniaThe Diary of Anne FrankMr. DussellOnStage Playhouse, Chula Vista, California2012The Sugar WitchGrandaddy MeeksOnStage Playhouse, Chula Vista, California2013The Sugar Bean SistersThe Bishop CrumleyPowPAC, Poway's Community Theatre, Poway, CaliforniaKimberly AkimboBuddyPoint Loma Playhouse, San Diego, California2014A Discourse on the Wonders of the Invisible WorldReverend PeckMoxie Theatre, San Diego, California2015Trouble in MindBill O'WrayMoxie Theatre, San Diego, CaliforniaLove LettersAndrew Makepeace Ladd IIIPoint Loma Playhouse, San Diego, California2016La Jolla Theatre Ensemble, La Jolla, California2019Return EngagementsJoe BristolScripps Ranch Theatre, San Diego, California2021A People's Cuban Christmas TaleVariousOnStage Playhouse, Chula Vista, CaliforniaHerbert Sigüenza adaptation of A Christmas Carol2022The Other PlaceIan SmithtonOnStage Playhouse, Chula Vista, CaliforniaRestGeraldOnStage Playhouse, Chula Vista, Californiaby Samuel D. HunterIt's a Wonderful VidaSaint NickOnStage Playhouse, Chula Vista, Californiaby Herbert Sigüenza
Filmography +FilmYearTitleRoleNotes1992The VagrantGuard2013SpeechlessEthanShort film2016Con BoysHerman HillShort film2020KirbyAlexShort filmFriend of the WorldGeneral Gore2021The Case of: Dakota MooreDetective Harris2022Mike & Fred vs The DeadTouchDetective HooperShort film2023Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink TeaTank2024I Brake for CaterpillarsPolice ChiefTBA
+TelevisionYearTitleRoleNotes1985Gus Brown and Midnight BrewsterTV movie1988The Legend of White GoldFred TalbotTV movie1988The HighwaymanM.P. No. 1Episode: "Summer of '45"JesseSheriffTV movie, uncreditedOne Life to LiveInvestigator1 episodeProbeElderEpisode: "Untouched by Human Hands"1989–1990The Young RidersJames Crowley / Customer2 episodes1990El DiabloDeputyTV movie1992SunstrokeCopTV movie1993GeronimoPurlingtonTV movieTelling SecretsHighway PatrolmanTV movie, uncredited
References
External links
Nick Young at About the Artists Nick Young at Broadway World
Nick Young at Moviefone