Jim Youngs

Jim Youngs was born in Old Bethpage, New York, the youngest of four siblings in a highly talented family. Before pursuing acting, he worked as a nightclub manager, dance instructor, and golf professional. He first entered the entertainment industry when he accompanied his older sister, Gail, to a casting call in Manhattan for *The Wanderers* (1979). He was given the opportunity to audition for director Philip Kaufman and ultimately secured a lead role in the film. Inspired by the experience, Youngs moved to Los Angeles in the summer of 1979. His charm and good looks caught the attention of casting directors, leading to a recurring role on the short-lived TV series *Secrets of Midland Heights* (1980). He further developed his acting abilities under the tutelage of Harry Mastrogeorge. Youngs went on to appear in a series of supporting roles in films and television movies, including *Splendor in the Grass* (1981) with Melissa Gilbert and Cyril O'Reilly, *The Executioner's Song* (1982) with Tommy Lee Jones, *Footloose* (1984) with Kevin Bacon and Lori Singer, *Youngblood* (1986) with Patrick Swayze and Rob Lowe, and *Nobody's Fool* (1986) with Rosanna Arquette and Eric Roberts. His first leading role came in 1987 when he played an aspiring American soccer player seeking advice from Pele in *Hotshot* (1986), directed by Rick King. Although the film did not perform well at the box office, Youngs' athletic ability and acting talent were evident. In 1990, he reunited with *Wanderers* co-stars Ken Wahl and Tony Ganios in an episode of the CBS crime drama *Wiseguy* (1987). He also starred in *You Talkin' to Me?* (1987), *Skeeter* (1993), and appeared in a love scene with Jane Seymour in *Keys to Freedom* (1988). Youngs also appeared in television series such as *NYPD Blue* (1993) and *Babylon 5* (1993).