Trivia

Lost his best friend in the May 4th Shootings at Kent State University.

Spent 6 years (1988-1994) in South Africa, working with Nelson Mandela for the anti-Apartheid movement.

Won the Drama Circle Award for his stage portrayal of Billy Bibbitt in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" in the early 1970s.

Was an assistant production manager for certain sequences of Spike Lee's film Malcolm X (1992) that was shot in South Africa where John was living at the time working with Nelson Mandela on the anti-apartheid movement. John had appeared in Lee's Do the Right Thing (1989) a few years back, and later would show up in Lee's Summer of Sam (1999).

In his early years he organized the Manhattan's Children's Theatre Group which performed in public housing areas.

Listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1979" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 31.

Younger sister, Gail Youngs, was once married to actor Robert Duvall from 1982-1986.

He has appeared in two films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Voyage au bout de l'enfer (1978) and Do the Right Thing (1989).

Had a son, Lachlan Youngs, and a daughter, Jennifer Youngs, from his first marriage to Susan Youngs.

As of 2014, has appeared in three films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Voyage au bout de l'enfer (1978), Le Parrain, 3e partie (1990) and La Ligne rouge (1998). Of those, only Voyage au bout de l'enfer (1978) is a winner in the category.

Alumnus of the AADA (American Academy of Dramatic Arts), Class of 1969.

Older brother of actor Jim Youngs and Gail Youngs.

Father of Jennifer Youngs and Lachlan Youngs.

Brother to Boston journalist and news anchor Robin Young.