Tammany Young


Tammany Young was an American stage and film actor.

Early life

Born in New York City, Young appeared on Broadway in The Front Page by Ben Hecht and The New Yorkers by Herbert Fields and Cole Porter. He was considered a "good luck actor" by Broadway producers. He was often cast in bit parts by the likes of The Shuberts, Jed Harris and David Belasco to bring luck to their productions. His reputation in the theater business was such that his likeness was drawn in caricature by Alex Gard for Sardi's restaurant. That picture is now part of the collection of the New York Public Library.

Career

In Hollywood, Young started out in silent films and then was cast in talkies. He often played the stooge to W.C. Fields, with whom he appeared in seven films: Sally of the Sawdust, Six of a Kind, You're Telling Me!, The [Old Fashioned Way (film)|The Old Fashioned Way], It's a Gift, Man on the Flying Trapeze, and Poppy, their last film appearance.

Gatecrashing

Young also had a reputation as a gate crasher. By claiming to be an ice man, he worked his way into the 1921 Dempsey–Carpentier prize fight in New Jersey, and in 1932 found his way into the Los Angeles Olympics. His exploits were frequently reported by sportswriters of the era.

Death

After a long illness, Young died in his sleep on April 26, 1936 in Hollywood, California, at the age of 49. At the news of Young's death, W.C. Fields fell into a depression and stopped eating and sleeping.

Partial filmography