Nick Young (actor)

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 in Tucson, Arizona. He became interested in performing arts while in grade school, was on the track team 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 after winning the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference for the discus throw but he was unable to place.

1980-2008
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. Young was promoted to engineer on May 8, 1988, and retired on February 28, 2008.

2011-2022
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 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.

Character analysis
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."