Celebrity Info
Lee Thompson Young, born on February 1, 1984, and raised in Columbia, SC, began his journey in the spotlight at the young age of 10. He portrayed Martin Luther King Jr. in a theatrical production titled “A Night of Stars and Dreams,” which sparked his passion for acting. Alongside his early artistic endeavors, Lee was an exceptional student, earning the title of Student of the Year at Irmo Middle School and securing the Optimist Oratorical Scholarship. Following his parents’ divorce, he relocated to New York City with his mother.
While attending the Professional Children’s School, a prestigious arts-focused private institution, Lee landed his breakthrough role on the Disney Channel series “The Famous Jett Jackson” (1998–2002). In the show, he played a famous child actor who returns home seeking normalcy, only to find that life has become far more complex than anticipated. Despite being the show’s lead for four seasons, Lee remained dedicated to his education, graduating with honors from the New York City High School for the Performing Arts in 2001.
Lee continued his academic journey on a full scholarship at the University of Southern California while steadily building his television resume. He made guest appearances on a variety of shows, including “Philly” (ABC, 2001–02), “Jake 2.0” (UPN, 2003–04), and a multi-episode arc on “The Guardian” (CBS, 2001–04). Transitioning into film, Young took on a supporting role in the 2004 sports drama “Friday Night Lights,” where he played a determined backup player who seizes his moment when the starting running back falls ill.
In 2005, Lee graduated magna cum laude from USC with a degree in Film & Television Production. He then appeared in the short-lived UPN series “South Beach” (2005–06) before taking on a memorable role in the 2006 film “Akeelah and the Bee,” playing the skeptical older brother of a gifted young girl, portrayed by Keke Palmer. Young also made appearances on “Smallville” (CW, 2001–11), playing Cyborg — a role he reprised in early 2007 as part of a superhero reunion that laid the groundwork for the iconic Justice League.
In 2010, Lee Thompson Young joined the cast of the popular TNT crime drama “Rizzoli & Isles” in the role of Detective Barry Frost, a character he portrayed until 2016. Sadly, Lee passed away on August 19, 2013, due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. At the time of his passing, he was only 29 years old.
Lee Thompson Young has had a varied film career, with some standout performances that really showcased his talent. One of the highlights definitely has to be Akeelah and the Bee from 2006—it’s widely considered Lee Thompson Young’s highest rated movie, earning praise for its heartfelt story and strong acting. In that film, Lee Thompson Young brought depth and sincerity to his role, which clearly resonated with both critics and audiences alike. On the other end of the spectrum, Lee Thompson Young appeared in The Hills Have Eyes 2 in 2007, a film that unfortunately received much more negative feedback and stands as Lee Thompson Young’s lowest rated movie. While the horror sequel had its moments, it didn’t quite capture the same level of acclaim. Still, through both highs and lows, Lee Thompson Young’s contributions to cinema remain memorable.
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