Not only are American television series noted for their excellent storylines, but also for their talented actors and hosts. Alan Young is one of those actors that has been there since the beginning of American television. Even four decades ago, when the world was not as advanced as it is today, Alan had a significant role in popularizing stand-up comedians and sitcoms. Alan moved into television after a long career on the radio. With the ‘Alan Young Show,’ he gained the hearts of both audiences and critics. He also received a number of honors for the show, including the prestigious Emmy Award. Many sitcom fans consider him immortal because of his onscreen chemistry with a horse in the show “Mister Ed.” Alan, unlike most other comedians of his era, did not limit himself to performing; he also dabbled in filming and screenwriting. Alan’s voice has also been used in a number of well-known animated television shows. Alan is still as passionate about his profession as he was when he first started his career, despite having been in the world of glamour for nearly five decades.
Childhood and Adolescence
Alan Young was born in North Shields, England, on November 19, 1919, to Florence Pinckney and John Cathcart Young. Alan’s father worked in a dockyard, while his mother’s grandparents fought for American independence.
Alan and his parents first settled in Scotland before relocating to Canada. He was diagnosed with Asthma at an early age, which left him bedridden for a long time. Alan frequently listened to the radio during this time, which inspired him to seek a career in the field.
Alan made his radio debut at the youthful age of thirteen. After a few years, he began writing and performing on his own radio show.
Alan attempted to join the Royal Canadian Navy and subsequently the Canadian Army during World War II but was unable to do so due to his bad health.
Career of Alan Young
Alan Young’s ‘Alan Young Show’ captured the interest of American audiences for nearly a decade, beginning in 1944. The show debuted on radio before moving to television. Young played a bank teller in this sitcom and received critical accolades for his performance.
Alan entered the realm of filmmaking in 1946. In the same year, he made his acting debut in the film ‘Margie.’ Alan played Roy Hornsdale, a minor character in this romantic comedy film.
Alan starred in another comedy picture, ‘Chicken Every Sunday,’ in 1949, but his contribution to the film went mostly unrecognized.
By 1951, the ‘Alan Young Show’ had established itself as one of the most popular shows on American television. At the same time, Alan seized a significant chance in the form of ‘Androcles and The Lion.’ He played the leading part in the film.
Alan Young appeared in various films throughout the 1950s, including ‘Gentlemen Marry Brunettes,’ ‘Tom Thumb,’ and ‘The Time Machine.’
The show ‘Mister Ed’ was the pinnacle of Alan’s career. Alan played Wilbur Post in this CBS series, which ran from 1961 through 1966 and was one of his best roles to date.
Alan has worked as a voiceover artist in the entertainment industry, in addition to acting. He rose to prominence in 1983 as the onscreen voice of the popular cartoon character ‘Ronald McDuck.’ McDuck is the protagonist of animated programs like ‘Duck Tales’ and ‘A Christmas Carol.’
Alan has also done voice work for shows including ‘The Incredible Hulk,’ ‘Spiderman and His Amazing Friends,’ and ‘The New Scooby Doo and Scrappy Doo Show.’
Alan appeared in the 1991 adaptation of the well-known musical drama ‘Show Boat,’ which was written in the early twentieth century.
In the film ‘Beverly Hills Cop III,’ Alan appeared alongside Eddie Murphy, a well-known Hollywood actor. Alan played Dave Thorton, the owner of an amusement park, in this film, which was released in 1994.
Alan has also appeared in a number of animated series, including ‘House of Mouse,’ ‘Static Shock,’ ‘Duckman,’ ‘Batman: The Animated Series,’ and, most notably, ‘Talespin.’
Major Projects of Alan Young
‘Androcles and The Lion’ is one of Alan’s other well-known works, in addition to the critically praised ‘The Alan Young Show.’ Alan played the protagonist ‘Androcles’ in this film, which is based on a play written by legendary theatre director George Bernard Shaw. The plot centres around a fugitive Christian tailor who attempts to flee Roman persecutors.
Alan Young became well-known as a result of his appearance on the popular television show ‘Mister Ed.’ Alan played the character of Wilbur Post, an architect, on this CBS sitcom that aired from 1961 to 1966. Wilbur and his horse Mister Ed were at the center of the story. The chemistry between the two was positively received by both crowds and critics.
Achievements & Awards
In 1951, Alan Young won the prestigious ‘Primetime Emmy’ Award for ‘Best Actor’. In 1951, he was nominated for the ‘Most Outstanding Personality’ award at the same ceremony.
In 1977, he was nominated for a ‘Grammy Award’ for the animated series ‘A Christmas Carol,’ in the category of ‘Best Recording for Children.’
Alan Young’s film “Em & Me” earned honors at the San Diego and Monaco International Film Festivals in 2003. Both of these honors were given for ‘Best Actor.’
Alan Young received a ‘TV Land Award’ in 2005 for his portrayal of Wilbur Post in the hit American television series ‘Mister Ed,’ which premiered in 1961.
Alan Young’s name is also etched on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame,’ which can be found at 6927 Hollywood Boulevard.
Personal History and Legacy
Alan Young married three times in his life. In 1941, he married Mary Anne Grimes for the first time. In 1947, Alan and Mary divorced. From his first marriage, Alan has two children.
After that, in 1948, Alan married Virginia Mccurdy. This relationship lasted a little over four decades before ending in 1995.
Alan later married Mary Chipman, a lady he met on the internet, for a year, from 1996 to 1997.
Alan wrote his autobiography, “Mister Ed and Me and More,” which was published in 2007. Through this book, Alan appears to have portrayed a few occurrences from his life in a very humorous manner.
Estimated Net Worth
Alan Young is a British-American actor with a $5 million net worth. Alan Young was born in November 1919 in North Shields, Northumberland, England, United Kingdom. Young is best remembered for his roles as Wilbur Post on Mister Ed and as the voice of Scrooge McDuck in the Disney animated film Scrooge McDuck.
Trivia
Alan’s first name was Angus, which he later officially altered. It’s been said that people started calling him ‘Agnus’ and other amusing nicknames, prompting him to change his name.