Alan Young - The Versatile Radio and Animation Star

Alan Young was born as Angus Young on November 19, 1919, in North Shields, Northumberland, England. His parents were Scottish - his father was a mine worker and tap dancer, while his mother was a singer. When Young was a toddler, the family moved to Edinburgh, Scotland, and then to West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada when he was six years old.

As a child, Young developed a severe case of asthma that often left him bedridden. However, this setback sparked his lifelong love of radio, as he found solace and entertainment in the medium while recovering. In a 1967 interview, Young credited Christian Science for helping him overcome his childhood asthma.

By the time he entered high school, Young had already established himself as a rising star in Canadian radio, hosting his own comedy series on the CBC network. However, his burgeoning career was temporarily interrupted when he left the radio show to serve in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II.

Entry Into Radio

After leaving the Navy, Young moved to Toronto and resumed his radio work in Canada, where he was discovered by an American agent who brought him to New York City in 1944. This marked the beginning of Young's successful transition to American radio, with his first appearances on the popular Philco Radio Hall of Fame.

This exposure led to Young landing his own show, The Alan Young Show, which became NBC's summer replacement for The Eddie Cantor Show. Over the next few years, Young's radio career continued to flourish as he switched between NBC and ABC, honing his skills as a versatile performer and comedian.

The Alan Young Show and Television Success

In 1950, The Alan Young Show made the leap to television, and the series quickly gained critical acclaim, earning Young two Primetime Emmy Awards in 1951 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. The show's success cemented Young's status as a rising star in the entertainment industry.

Beyond his Emmy-winning television work, Young also made his film debut in 1946 with the movie Margie, followed by a role in Chicken Every Sunday in 1949. His ability to seamlessly transition between radio, television, and film demonstrated his remarkable versatility as a performer.

Voicing Scrooge McDuck and Other Iconic Roles

While Young's television and film work earned him widespread recognition, his most enduring legacy may be his iconic voice work, particularly as the voice of Disney's Scrooge McDuck. Young first lent his voice to the character in the 1974 Disneyland Records album An Adaptation of Dickens' Christmas Carol, Performed by The Walt Disney Players, and he continued to voice Scrooge in various films, television series, and video games for over 40 years, until his death in 2016.

In addition to his work as Scrooge McDuck, Young also voiced the character in the Academy Award-nominated short film Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983) and numerous other Disney productions. His rich, distinctive voice and impeccable comedic timing made him the perfect fit for the iconic curmudgeonly character.

Versatility and Collaborations

Throughout his career, Young demonstrated an impressive range, seamlessly transitioning between various roles and mediums. In addition to his acclaimed work in radio, television, and animation, he also made guest appearances on numerous other shows, including General Electric Theater, Screen Director's Playhouse, Studio One, and The Steve Allen Show.

Young's versatility and collaborative spirit were further showcased in his work with other entertainment legends. He dated the iconic Marilyn Monroe, according to his own accounts, and was known to have a close working relationship with fellow actor and comedian Steve Allen.

Legacy and Impact

Alan Young's remarkable career spanned over seven decades, from his early days in Canadian radio to his enduring voice work as Scrooge McDuck. He was a true Renaissance man of the entertainment industry, excelling as a radio personality, television star, film actor, and beloved voice artist.

Young's impact on the industry is undeniable. His Emmy-winning performance on The Alan Young Show helped to shape the landscape of television comedy, while his iconic portrayal of Scrooge McDuck cemented his place in the hearts of generations of Disney fans. Beyond his professional achievements, Young was also known for his kind and generous spirit, as evidenced by his dedication to his third wife, Mary Chipman, in his book Mr. Ed and Me.

Even in his later years, Young remained active in the entertainment industry, continuing to voice Scrooge McDuck until his passing in 2016 at the age of 96. His remarkable longevity and enduring popularity are a testament to the lasting impact of his versatile talents and endearing persona.

Works and Appearances

Radio

The Alan Young Show (1950-1953) - Lead Role, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1951), Nominated - Primetime Emmy for Most Outstanding Personality (1951)
Philco Radio Hall of Fame (1944) - First American radio appearances
The Eddie Cantor Show (1950-1952) - Summer replacement series

Television

The Alan Young Show (1950-1953) - Lead Role, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1951), Nominated - Primetime Emmy for Most Outstanding Personality (1951)
Mister Ed (1961-1966) - Portrayed Wilbur Post
General Electric Theater (1954) - Episode: "Wild Luke's Boy"
Screen Director's Playhouse (1955) - Episodes: "The Life of Vernon Hathaway"
Studio One (1955-1956) - Episodes: George Abernathy, Timothy
Chevron Hall of Stars (1956) - Episode: "I Killed John Harrington"
Matinee Theatre (1956) - Episode: "Ask Me No Questions"
Studio 57 (1956) - Episode: "Swing Your Partner, Hector"
The Steve Allen Show (1956-1958)

Film

Margie (1946) - Film debut
Chicken Every Sunday (1949)

Animation/Voice Acting

An Adaptation of Dickens' Christmas Carol, Performed by The Walt Disney Players (1974) - Voiced Scrooge McDuck
Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983) - Voiced Scrooge McDuck
Numerous other Disney films, TV series, and video games as the voice of Scrooge McDuck (1974-2016)

Personal Life

Married three times: Mary Anne Grimes (1941-1947), Virginia McCurdy (1948-1995), Mary Chipman (1996-1997)
Dated Marilyn Monroe (unconfirmed)
Supported Ronald Reagan, though later described himself as apolitical

Alan Young: The Versatile Voice of Radio and Animation

Enjoys some shows