Trivia

His patented shyness and painful insecurity turned his social drinking into a chronic alcohol problem during his MGM years that lasted nearly three decades. He recovered with the aid and encouragement of his wife Elizabeth and through spiritual metaphysics (Science of Mind), not to mention Alcoholics Anonymous. He often held AA meetings in his home.

Had suffered depression for 45 years, beginning in 1946, and finally recovered in 1991, along with his wife, who was depressed herself.

In later years, Robert and Elizabeth lived in a house in Westlake Village, California called "The Enchanted Cottage," named after the 1945 film in which he starred with Dorothy McGuire.

Attempted suicide in 1991 as a result of a chemical imbalance and while battling Alzheimer's disease and heart problems.

Was a favorite co-star among Tinseltown's biggest female stars, including Margaret Sullavan, Joan Crawford, Janet Gaynor, Loretta Young, Norma Shearer Katharine Hepburn and Claudette Colbert, primarily because his acting was always reliable, complimentary and professional...plus the fact that he never tried to steal the spotlight.

Today, those who fondly recall him in the archetypal 1950s family sitcom Papa a raison (1954) may be surprised to learn that when the series debuted in 1954, the show did so poorly in the ratings that CBS canceled it in March of 1955. A flood of protests came from viewers insisting that the show be reinstated. The show was moved to an earlier time, and it gradually became a hit.

Had a nervous breakdown in 1966 and it took him nearly 4 years to recover.

His Irish Protestant carpenter father abandoned the family when Robert was 10 years old. He was a newspaper boy during this time in order to help the family income.

Had 4 daughters with Betty Henderson. He was 17 and she was 14 when they met in high school.

Took a seven year sabbatical from TV in 1962 following the failure of his second TV series Window on Main Street (1961). Triumphantly returned in 1969 as Docteur Marcus Welby (1969).

His ex-Papa a raison (1954) co-stars, Jane Wyatt, Billy Gray and Elinor Donahue, all came to his 90th birthday party in 1997.

His wife of 61 years, Elizabeth Henderson, died on April 4, 1994.

Was the fourth of five children born to Thomas and Margaret (Fyfe) Young. His family moved from his native Chicago to Seattle, Washington, when he was less than a year old.

Acting mentor and friends of Elinor Donahue and James Brolin.

He has four daughters: Betty Lou Gleason, Carol Proffitt, Barbara Beebe, and Kathy Young. He has six grandchildren.

Originating his Papa a raison (1954) role on radio, he was the only member of the radio cast to transfer his role to TV.

He was awarded 3 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Pictures at 6933 Hollywood Boulevard; for Radio at 1620 Vine Street; and for Television at 6360 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.

Was employed as a bank clerk and a reporter during his fledgling actor days and even found extra work in Keystone Cops movies.

Following his sobriety, he was once chosen Honorary Chairman of National Health Week.

Good friends with actor Robert Board, who Young selected to be his stand-in for nearly two decades.

Did not renew his MGM contact after filming Le fantôme de Canterville (1944) and chose to free-lance instead. After a great start in post-war pictures, his film career declined rapidly and he wisely moved to radio in 1949 and eventually TV.

After his last Docteur Marcus Welby (1969) TV reunion movie, he retired from acting at age 81.

Jim Anderson, Young's character on Papa a raison (1954), was ranked #6 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [20 June 2004 issue].

Suicide attempt due to alcoholism and depression. (1991)

Sold Sanka coffee on TV for 5 years.

On Papa a raison (1954), he created the character of one of his co-stars, Elinor Donahue's character, Betty Anderson, after one of his real-life daughters.

Living in Los Angeles by the age of 10, he attended Abraham Lincoln High School in Los Angeles, where he met his future wife Elizabeth. It was she who prodded the shy guy into trying acting at the Pasadena Community Playhouse after graduation.

Robert Young is on page 50 of the 1926 Year Book of Lincoln High School, Los Angeles, California. Next to his name and picture are his accomplishments that include: Head Yell Leader, Commissioner (Boys' Sports), Playcrafters, Lead in Taming of the Shrew, Pals and Sherwood, Leading part in opera Briar Rose.

Appeared in two Best Picture Oscar nominated films: The House of Rothschild (1934) and Feux croisés (1947).

Attended the same high school with John Huston.

Was friends with Jane Wyatt, Elena Verdugo, Shirley Temple, Pernell Roberts, Billie Burke, Ruth Hussey, Joan Crawford, Maureen O'Sullivan, Reginald Owen, Henry Hull, Laraine Day, Halliwell Hobbes and Florence Rice.

Best remembered by the public for his starring roles as Jim Anderson on Papa a raison (1954) and the title character on Docteur Marcus Welby (1969).

He was a lifelong member of the Republican party and was a solid supporter of Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, and Ronald Reagan.

Ruth Hussey was his most frequent female co-star; they appeared together in seven films and in one television episode - Rich Man, Poor Girl (1938), Honolulu (1939), Maisie (1939), Le grand passage (1940), Le Célibataire marié (1941), Souvenirs (1941), The Best Is Yet to Be (1971), and My Darling Daughters' Anniversary (1973).

Young and Margaret Sullavan were in three films together - Trois camarades (1938), L'ensorceleuse (1938), and La tempête qui tue (1940).

The original cast of Father Knows Best appeared in 2 made for TV movies in 1977 titled, "Father Knows Best: Reunion" and Father Knows Best: Home For Christmas".

MGM talent agents spotted him in a 1931 touring stage production of "The Ship" and signed him up.

On August 16, 2021, he was honored with a day of his filmography during the Turner Classic Movies Summer Under the Stars.

Was the leading man of Dorothy McGuire in three films - Claudia (1943), Le Cottage enchanté (1945), and Claudia and David (1946).

Interred at Forest Lawn (Glendale), Glendale, California, USA, in the Graceland section, lot #5905.

Was in two movies with Barbara Stanwyck: Mexico et retour (1935) and Carolyn veut divorcer (1936).

Younger brother of actor Roger Moore (no relation to the popular British actor who is a former James Bond).

Florence Rice played his romantic interest in six films - Sworn Enemy (1936), The Longest Night (1936), Married Before Breakfast (1937), Les cadets de la mer (1937), Sans tambour, ni trompette (1938), and Miracles à vendre (1939).

He escorted Anita Page to her 21st birthday party at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in 1931.

Graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Los Angeles, California, in 1925.

Young and Maureen O'Sullivan were paired in five films at MGM: Strange Interlude (1932), Tugboat Annie (1933), West Point of the Air (1935), Le secret des chandeliers (1937), and Sporting Blood (1940).

His home on Elm Dr. in Beverly Hills where he lived during Papa a raison (1954) is shown in Hollywood Mouth (2008).

Worked with Joan Crawford in four films: Après nous le déluge (1933), L'inconnue du palace (1937), L'ensorceleuse (1938), and La flamme du passé (1951).

He and Ann Sothern co-starred in three movies: Dangerous Number (1937), Maisie (1939), and Divorce en musique (1941).

Young appeared with Claudette Colbert in three movies: [link:tt0026137], À Paris tous les trois (1937), and Fiancée à vendre (1949).