Abel Fernandez

Acting

Abel Fernandez

Born
Died
(aged 85)
Birthplace
East Los Angeles, California, USA
Credits
38 titles

Biography

Tall, handsome, cool, and intimidating, Native Latino American paratrooper, professional boxer, and character actor. Was of Yaqui Native Mexican descent, and possibly more tribes. Was from East Los Angeles, California. Fernandez was born in Los Angeles, California, on July 14, 1930. His mother was a Yaqui Native Mexican woman, and his father was a Native Mexican man. He was the youngest of a large family and lost his mother at birth. He attended Belmont High School in Los Angeles, and at the age of 16, enlisted in the United States Army and became a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division. While there he won the title, Middleweight Boxing Champ of the Asiatic Forces. In 1950, as an amateur, he won the light heavyweight title in the Los Angeles Golden Gloves competition. After his discharge, he became a professional boxer from 1950 to 1953. During that time he studied acting and began appearing in films. In 1964, Fernandez was sentenced to 90 days in jail after pleading guilty to failing to file state tax returns in California for four years. Additionally, he had to pay $4,750 in taxes, plus penalties, and be on probation for four years. Best known for his role as Federal Agent William "Bill" Youngfellow on the 1959–1963 ABC Television series The Untouchables. Stood 6’5” (196cm), and weighed 200lbs (91kg). Wore size 16 4E shoes. He had 15in (38cm) fists. Also had a monstrous wingspan of 7’2” (218cm). Was married to a woman but name is unknown. They had 4 children together.

Signature work

Known For

Acting credits 37

YearTitleRole
1991 Buster's Bedroom Film
1986 Quicksilver Film Guyamo
1969 Topaz Film Cuban Guerrilla Fighter (uncredited)
1969 Marcus Welby, M.D. TV Angelo Rodrigues (1 ep)
1968 Madigan Film Detective Rodriguez
1966 Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round Film Aztec Airlines Attendant (uncredited)
1966 The Time Tunnel TV Bowman (1 ep)
1966 Batman TV Thug (1 ep)
1965 Apache Uprising Film Young Apache Chief
1964 Rio Conchos Film Mexican at Corral (uncredited)
1964 Daniel Boone TV Warrior, Bear Paw (1 ep)
1961 Alcatraz Express Film William Youngfellow
1960 The Barbara Stanwyck Show TV Tom Tall Bear (1 ep)
1959 The Scarface Mob Film
1959 The Untouchables TV William Youngfellow (118 ep)
1959 Bonanza TV Lean Knife (1 ep)
1959 The Troubleshooters TV O'Riley (1 ep)
1959 Pork Chop Hill Film Kindley
1958 77 Sunset Strip TV Officer (1 ep)
1958 Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse TV William Youngfellow (1 ep)
1958 The Texan TV Juan (1 ep)
1958 Steve Canyon TV Airman Abel Featherstone, Sgt. Abel Featherstone (3 ep)
1957 Decision at Sundown Film Pete (uncredited)
1957 The Tijuana Story Film
1957 Wagon Train TV Tonino (uncredited) (1 ep)
1956 The Last Wagon Film
1956 The Harder They Fall Film Chief Firebird (uncredited)
1955 The 20th Century Fox Hour TV Indian Chief (uncredited) (1 ep)
1955 Fort Yuma Film Mangas
1955 Devil Goddess Film Teinusi (as Abel M. Fernandez)
1955 Cheyenne TV Abel - Cowhand (uncredited) (1 ep)
1955 Gunsmoke TV Little Wolf, Indian, Nate (1 ep)
1955 Many Rivers to Cross Film Slangoh
1954 The Wonderful World of Disney TV Kiasax (1 ep)
1954 The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin TV O-Ye-Tza (2 ep)
1954 Lassie TV Grady (1 ep)
1954 Rose Marie Film Indian warrior

Crew credits 1

YearTitleJob
1978 Hooper Film Stunts
Ask the AI