Photo Credit: Getty Images
Brad Everett Young, an actor and acclaimed celebrity photographer known for his work in both Hollywood and arts education, has died at the age of 46. His publicist, Paul Christensen, confirmed that Young was killed in a car crash late Sunday, September 14, on the 134 Freeway in Los Angeles.
According to Christensen, Young had been driving home alone after watching a film when his vehicle was struck head-on by a car traveling in the wrong direction. He was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other driver was hospitalized.
Born on July 24, 1979, in Danville, Virginia, Young was the middle of three children. After graduating from Chatham High School and Averett University, he moved to Los Angeles with plans to attend medical school but shifted focus to acting. "In the first month here, I went out on my first audition for a TV series, booked it, joined the Screen Actors Guild, and the rest was history," he said in a 2015 interview. "I absolutely fell in love with everything in this business and the journey and strength it takes to accomplish what you want in it."
Young's acting career began in the late 1990s, with appearances on shows such as Boy Meets World, Felicity, Charmed, Grey's Anatomy, and Numb3rs. His film credits included Love & Basketball (2000), Charlie's Angels (2000), Jurassic Park III (2001), I Love You, Man (2009), The Artist (2011), and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (2017).
Alongside acting, Young built a reputation as a red-carpet photographer, capturing portraits for The Hollywood Reporter, Vanity Fair, Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, People, and Variety. Among those he photographed were David Harbour, Seth Green, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Harvey Guillén.
He also founded Dream Loud Official; a grassroots initiative aimed at preserving arts and music programs in schools. Christensen said, "Brad's passion for both the arts and the people behind them was unmatched. He lived his mission of keeping creativity alive, and his legacy will continue through Dream Loud Official."
Tributes poured in from friends and colleagues. General Hospital actor Chris McKenna wrote: "These were taken just a couple weeks ago by the late @bradley206 we won't see another like him." Fellow castmate Parry Shen remembered him as "one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever met," adding that his "indomitable positivity" made him stand out in the industry.
Young is survived by his brother, Chris. Memorial arrangements will be announced.
