Noah Young Jr. (2 February 1887 - 18 April 1958) was a former champion weightlifter who joined the Hal Roach studios as an actor, mainly playing comic villains. He appeared in several Laurel and Hardy comedies but was more notable as a foil for Harold Lloyd, whom he supported in over 50 films. He was born in Cañon City, Colorado, the son of Noah Young, who came from a family of coal miners in Lancashire, England and dabbled in bare knuckle fighting before heading to America in 1874 and settling in Colorado. He was allegedly once an Indian scout and became friends with William F. Cody. His mother was Mary Anson, was of English descent.a foreman of the Glenrock coal mine who later became a coal mine inspector for the State of Wyoming. Young died in Los Angeles, California.
Usually portrayed typically "brutal dumb men," either he played a cop or a villain.
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Fact
1
Was sickly as a child. A Denver exhibition featuring famous strong man Al Treloar, who held the title of "The World's Most Perfect Man," changed Noah's life and he became obsessed with bodybuilding. He even converted part of the family's barn into a gym for himself with punching bags made from bales of hay. An amateur who never turned professional, Treloar, who became the physical director of the Los Angeles Athletics Club, became Noah's mentor in California. Noah subsequently broke amateur records and won the title of "World's Strongest Man" at the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco. Comedian Harold Lloyd noticed Noah at the Athletics Club and discovered him for films. Noah went on to appear in nearly 50 of Lloyd's films, usually as a heavy, the first being Kicking the Germ Out of Germany (1918).
2
The youngest of three sons, his brothers were Harry (eldest) and John. John suffered from acromegaly, a disfiguring hormonal disorder. He fought in the ring as "Bull Young" and died following injuries suffered by one of his opponents, champion prizefighter Jess Willard, in August of 1913. Although Willard was arrested and charged with manslaughter, the charges were dropped and Noah never did blame Willard for his brother's death. The two remained friends.
3
Following his retirement from films, he purchased several apartment buildings. He never married but for several decades enjoyed the companionship of Hattie Bonney, the widow of a race car driver.
4
In 1916 he was working for a circus troupe and performing a weight lifting act.
5
Died of a heart attack four days after entering Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital for a hernia operation. Buried at Forest Lawn, his old friend from the silent days Harold Lloyd attended his funeral services.
6
Set a record by running a mile in 8.5 minutes while carrying a 150-pound man on his back.
7
His father, Noah, Sr., came from a family of coal miners in Lancashire, England and dabbled in bare knuckle fighting before heading to America in 1874 and settling in Colorado. His father later became a mining inspector. He was allegedly once an Indian scout and became friends with William F. Cody. His mother was Mary Anson, was of English descent.
8
Was a member of the Hal Roach Studio's renowned brass band. Roach himself played the saxophone, '"Snub' Pollard' played the trombone and Noah played the bass horn.
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The 6', 215 pound silent actor made over 170 films between 1918 and 1935. Most of them were as imposing but dull-witted villains, brutes and bully types, and most were in association with the 'Hal Roach' Studios. His best known role was as the cop in Harold Lloyd's classic silent comedy Safety Last! (1923).
10
Dropped out of films a few years after the advent of sound as his voice was not well-suited.
11
He apparently failed enlistment in the U.S. Navy, because he was missing too many teeth. Combined with his menacing physique, he was also said to have a penetrating, maniacal stare which made him the perfect villain in many a Hal Roach comedy.
$17 Million
