Actor Robert Young professed that he was an introvert working in an extrovert profession. In his high school’s student acting group, he found escape from his inherent shyness in the pleasure of taking on other personalities. The lure of the stage led him to the Pasadena Playhouse, where he studied and performed in the School of Theatre Arts.
After graduation, he performed in numerous stage productions and occasional “extra” roles in silent films. A chance meeting with a talent scout led to a screen test and a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. During his long tenure with MGM, he appeared in dozens of “B” pictures, mostly as a star or in featured supporting roles.
After breaking away from MGM to freelance for several years, he branched out into radio and starred on the popular series Father Knows Best. The program was so well received that he later took it to television, where it was even more successful. When he felt the program had run it course, he took some time off, then returned to star on another acclaimed series, Marcus Welby, M.D.
Yet what may have seemed a charmed life was hampered by troubles that Robert took pains to conceal. From early adulthood, he dealt with chronic depression in an era when it was little understood and medical help was negligible. That in turn led to his excessive alcohol consumption, which became an added burden.
Nevertheless, Robert managed to keep his troubles secret from most of the world and entertained millions of moviegoers, radio listeners, and television viewers well into his senior years. Troubles and Triumphs is his story.