Robert Howard Young (September 15, 1917 – September 10, 1951) professionally known as Clifton Young, was an American film actor.
Early years Young was the son of Edward A. and Eva (Clifton) Young. His father started him in vaudeville when he was 5 years old. When he was 7, he began acting in Our Gang comedies. Young was drafted into the Army during World War II, serving in the South Pacific,Clifton Young Bio at IMDb. Retrieved November 27, 2021. as a private in the 37th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized), part of the 37th Infantry Division, a division which saw action in the northern Solomons and Luzon.
Career Young played "Bonedust" in nineteen Our Gang films from 1925 to 1931, his most notable film being School's Out. As an adult, to avoid confusion with established star Robert Young, he took his mother's maiden name, Clifton, as his screen name.
Young became a contract player at Warner Bros., landing small parts in a number of 1940s film noir and western films. Notable credits include Nora Prentiss, Pursued, Possessed, Dark Passage, and Blood on the Moon.Maltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard W. (1977, rev. 1992). The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang, p. 281. New York: Crown Publishing/Three Rivers Press.
While at Warners, Young was featured prominently in the Joe McDoakes comedy shorts. He played a variety of roles: a craven mobster in So You Want to Be a Detective, a department-store clerk in So You're Going on Vacation, and memorably as "Homer," Joe's brash, know-it-all office colleague in several McDoakes reels.
One of Young's last films was the Roy Rogers western Trail of Robin Hood (1950), in which he played a sneering villain.
Death Young died on September 10, 1951, in a hotel fire that started when he fell asleep while smoking.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1927 Three's a Crowd Minor Role – as Bobby Young Uncredited1928 The Circus Kid Boy at Orphanage Uncredited1931 Sidewalks of New York Street Gang Member Uncredited1935 Bright Lights Piano Player at Party Uncredited1936 Small Town Girl Boy in Car in Montage Uncredited1936 The Lonely Trail Murdered Rancher's Son Uncredited1936 Hearts in Bondage Young man waiting to enlist Uncredited1936 The President's Mystery Townsman Uncredited1945 The Master Key Loft Building Henchman Serial, Uncredited1946 Two Guys from Milwaukee Joe – Motorcycle Cop Uncredited1946 Cloak and Dagger American Commander Uncredited1946 Deception Taxi Driver Uncredited1947 The Unfaithful Charlie Voice, Uncredited1947 Nora Prentiss Policeman arresting Truck Driver Uncredited1947 That Way with Women Irate Baseball Fan Uncredited1947 Pursued The Sergeant 1947 Possessed Interne 1947 Dark Passage Baker 1947 Always Together Reporter Uncredited1947 My Wild Irish Rose Joe Brennan 1948 The Treasure of the Sierra Madre Flophouse Bum Uncredited1948 Two Guys from Texas Announcer Uncredited1948 Blood on the Moon Joe Shotten 1948 Whiplash Gunman Uncredited1949 My Dream Is Yours Schwab's Counterman Voice, Uncredited1949 Illegal Entry Billy Rafferty 1949 Calamity Jane and Sam Bass Link 1949 Abandoned Eddie 1950 Bells of Coronado Ross 1950 Backfire Cabby Uncredited1950 Borderline Suspect Questioned by Whittaker Uncredited1950 A Woman of Distinction Chet – Photographer Uncredited1950 Salt Lake Raiders Luke Condor 1950 Union Station Ambulance Driver Uncredited1950 The Return of Jesse James Bob Ford 1950 Trail of Robin Hood Mitch McCall 1951 Up Front Clerk Uncredited1951 The Redhead and the Cowboy Southern Spy Uncredited1951 Love Nest Uncredited1952 Zombies of the Stratosphere Ross – Smuggler Boss Serial, [Ch. 4], Uncredited, (final film role)
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