Tommy Scott Young was a famous Storyteller, poet, playwright, and author. He was also the father of the renowned actor, Lee Thompson Young.
Tommy Scott Young’s Family
Tommy Scott Young was born on December 12, 1943, to Nancy Thompson Young and John Robert Young. He had a sister named Felicia Yvonne Young Trower. Tommy received his Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University in Los Angeles. He also pursued graduate work in sculpturing. He married Velma Elaine (née Love) and had a son, Lee Thompson Young born on February 1, 1984, in Columbia, South Carolina.
Lee was in the second grade when his parents’ marriage ended, and he went to live with his mother. At age ten, Lee portrayed Martin Luther King Jr. in a play called A Night of Stars and Dreams by Dwight Woods at the Phillis Wheatley Repertory Theater of Greenville, South Carolina. It was then that Lee decided he wanted to become an actor. He graduated with honors from the University of Southern California, where he majored in cinematic arts and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He too enjoyed writing and wrote the screenplay for the 2007 short film Mano.
Lee took his own life on August 19, 2013, after years of struggle with bipolar disorder and clinical depression. His death was not detected until he failed to show up for the filming of an episode of Rizzoli & Isles, after which police were sent to his home to check on his welfare. Tommy passed away on May 15, 2023.
Tommy Scott Young’s Net Worth
Tommy Scott Young was a well-established storyteller, poet, playwright, author, producer, teacher, and sculptor. He was a Storyteller-in-Residence at the Lincoln Center Institute, where his performances and teachings reached hundreds of individuals. Tommy was most known for his founding and directing of the Kitani Foundation, which from 1977 – 1983, was a leader in bringing nationally acclaimed performing artists to South Carolina. The foundation’s purpose was to “enable school children in South Carolina to see nationally known artists and to promote outstanding performing artists in the state.”
Tommy utilized his skill, as a performer of classical, traditional, and modern storytelling throughout the nation. He taught at the University of Southern California, UCLA, and Benedict College. Books written by this gifted author include: “Tommy Scott Young Spins Magic Tales,” “Black Blues and Shiny Songs,” (poetry); and “Crazy Half Sings a Crazy Wolf Song.”
Tommy was extremely proud of his son, Lee Thompson Young, who also combined the dual profession of storytelling and theatre. Lee had a starring role as Jett Jackson on the Disney Channel’s Show, “The Famous Jett Jackson.” After Lee’s death, his family launched the Lee Thompson Young Foundation to help remove the stigma surrounding mental illness. Tommy and his son had a combined net worth of $11 million before they died.
