Biography

Performing Arts
Ed studied acting at The Theatre-in-the-Round at Seton Hall University, Brookdale Alumni Theater Company at Brookdale College and at HB Studio in New York City.  He has performed as an actor on stages in New York and New Jersey in productions of Amadeus, Dracula, Children of a Lessor God, True West and Modigliani. Edward has directed stage productions of Waiting for Godot, Hurlyburly, Lunchtime, and Wait Until Dark. Ed credits a great deal of his knowledge about the performing arts to his time spent under the tutelage of acting teacher Fabir Rodriguez-Ammirato, who was the creator and director of the acclaimed R.I.S.K. Improvisational Theatre Group of New Jersey.  Edward X. Young recently worked as an actor in the radio play The Death Guard, based on the classic science fiction novel by Philip George Chadwick for broadcast on New Hampshire radio stations, WKNH Radio and NHPR.  Ed Young is a member of the Greenville Shakespeare Festival, of Greenville, New Hampshire, in which he recently performed as Escalus in a production of Measure for Measure that was directed by Melon Wedick.

Edward Young has also worked on numerous film and video projects as director, actor, writer, editor, and special effects artist. Early collaborative efforts include the expressionistic Reflections and the existential meditation, Playing God, which were both produced through his partnership with Daniel Acon (Special Effects Coordinator for Hannibal with Ridley Scott and Gangs of New York with Martin Scorcese.  Dan Acon also worked with Francis Ford Coppolla on Godfather III).  Ed Young directed  Michael C. Mahon (in his first acting role), and has also directed actors, Conrad Capistran, Dennis Chalifour, and Douglas Poswencyk in various films and videos. Ed also managed the legendary punk band The Suave Elbows which featured musicians Christopher Clunie and Marty Byk.  

Journalism
Edward X. Young has been published over the years in various magazines, newspapers, and specialty publications. His columns and film reviews have been distributed in print nationally and most recently, internationally, through publication on the World Wide Web.

Ed Young has also served as Editor for a variety of publications and has won numerous awards for his literary efforts. Most recently you can find Ed's work regularly appearing both online and in print. An annual tradition of Oscar nominated film reviews, "And the Winner Is..." and "A Critic's Picks" of nominated Oscar movies, has become a popular feature for newspapers in print and online.  Please see the Entertainment & Journalism sections of this site for more detail. 

Art
In addition to his writing, Ed has been an accomplished artist for many years. Before the advent of the digital art age, Edward made his mark in the art world through his award-winning cartoons and illustrations. Edward had the great fortune of becoming a protégé of the legendary comic book artist, Gerry Grandenetti (Creepy, Eerie, Vampirella and co-developer of the classic cult comic book The Prez with Joe Simon co-creator of Captain America ). Ed became skilled at the art of turning real life into colorful illustrations through the tutelage of his mentors. The natural progression to digital art has opened the door to new opportunities for his talents. Edward Young is one of the few artists working in the new medium of cyber-painting.  This new art form has allow Ed to draw on his background of cartooning and illustrations to produce the vivid imagery inherent in cyber-paintings. 

Edward is also a fine artist with particular focus on the mediums of acrylic and oil painting, sketches and sculpture. He has served as Art Editor for various publications and has won honors for artwork. Visit the Art Gallery section for examples of fine art, cyber-painting, sketches and digital artwork.

Personal
When not at work, Edward Young dedicates himself to various political causes for social reform. During his years of residence in the New York/New Jersey area, Ed dedicated his time to the New Jersey Environmental Federation as a fund raiser and lobbyist, successfully campaigning to stop ocean dumping off the Jersey shore and halting the building of a toxic waste incinerator.

As a political independent he has worked for a diverse range of political candidates, most notably Congressman Frank Pallone (D) of New Jersey for his commitment to the environment. Ed has traveled extensively campaigning for both Republicans and Democrats and created the national collegiate organization "Students for Reagan" during Ronald Reagan's second campaign for the presidency.

Ed has used his political and entertainment ties to benefit a variety of charities. He is an ongoing participant in the Jimmy Fund's annual walk-a-thon to raise public awareness and financial contributions for the fight against childhood cancer (see the program in the Promotions section that Ed produced for the most recent Jimmy Fund event). Ed Young has sponsored theatrical productions to raise funds for the Lupus Foundation. He has aggressively campaigned to raise funds for the Police Benevolent Association (PBA), Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), as well as various Firefighters and Veterans Associations.

Ed's interests include a passion for chess; and you can find him regularly playing online using the sobriquet "Ted X" at www.chess.net. Ed is an avid long-distance runner, swimmer, and cross-country skier. He studied Judo and martial arts under the instruction of Sensei Mamoru Shimamoto (New Jersey), Sensei Vince Tamura (Texas), and Sensei John Brisbois (New York).

Edward X Young has a valued collection of photos and music from his days spent in New York City's Lower East Side at the legendary punk clubs, CBGB's, The Continental, Irving Plaza, and The Ritz. His associations with the late Johnny Thunders (The Heartbreakers and New York Dolls), Walter Lure, Tony Coiro, Jamey Heath, Jeff West, Charlie Sox, and Joey Pinter (The Waldos), the Ramones, Church Pills and many other great musicians, has served to have a great influence in his art and his writing. Thank you all!

After spending a decade in New Hampshire, Ed has recently moved back to the New York Metropolitan Area; but he keeps in touch with his friends and contacts in the Granite State. Please feel free to email Ed with suggestions or comments about this site.