Robert Milton Young (November 22, 1924 – February 6, 2024) was an American film and television director, cinematographer, screenwriter, and producer. Young was considered a trailblazer in the independent filmmaking sector and for frequently casting Edward James Olmos in his movies, directing him in Alambrista! (1977), The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1982), Saving Grace (1986), Triumph of the Spirit (1989), Talent for the Game (1991), Roosters (1993), Slave of Dreams (1995), and Caught (1996). He produced Olmos's directorial debut, American Me (1992).

Early life and education

Robert Milton Young was born in New York City on November 22, 1924. His father was a cameraman who later owned a film laboratory. Robert began college at MIT to become a chemical engineer. He left after two years to join the U.S. Navy during World War II and served in the Pacific in New Guinea and in the Philippines. Upon returning to America after the war, he decided to study English literature at Harvard University. Young also developed an interest in filmmaking and graduated from Harvard in 1949.

Career

After graduation, Young formed a cooperative partnership with two friends making educational films. In 1960, he worked for NBC making public affairs programs for NBC White Paper. In 1960, on behalf of NBC, he went to the American South to make the film Sit-In about the civil rights protests and sit-ins. The film won a Peabody Award. Young later left NBC to pursue narrative film work. Young won a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1975. In 1985 he was a member of the jury at the 14th Moscow International Film Festival.

Death

Young died in Los Angeles on February 6, 2024, at the age of 99.

Filmography

Filmmaking credits

Feature films

Documentaries

Cancelled film: Cortile Cascino (1962)

Television

Technical credits

Feature films

Documentaries and other

Television