Abel Fernandez
Born: 1930-07-14 in East Los Angeles, California, USA
Died: 2016-05-03
Known For: Acting
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.
Filmography
1991
1986
- Quicksilver as Guyamo
1978
- Hooper ... (Stunts)
1969
- Marcus Welby, M.D. as Angelo Rodrigues
- Topaz as Cuban Guerrilla Fighter (uncredited)
1968
- Madigan as Detective Rodriguez
1966
- Batman as Thug
- The Time Tunnel as Bowman
- Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round as Aztec Airlines Attendant (uncredited)
1965
- Apache Uprising as Young Apache Chief
1964
- Daniel Boone as Warrior
- Rio Conchos as Mexican at Corral (uncredited)
1961
- Alcatraz Express as William Youngfellow (archive footage)
1960
- The Barbara Stanwyck Show as Tom Tall Bear
1959
- Bonanza as Lean Knife
- The Untouchables as William Youngfellow
- The Troubleshooters as O'Riley
- Pork Chop Hill as Kindley
- The Scarface Mob
1958
- 77 Sunset Strip as Officer
- The Texan as Juan
- Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse as William Youngfellow
- Steve Canyon as Airman Abel Featherstone
1957
- Wagon Train as Tonino (uncredited)
- Decision at Sundown as Pete (uncredited)
- The Tijuana Story
1956
- The Harder They Fall as Chief Firebird (uncredited)
- The Last Wagon
1955
- Cheyenne as Abel - Cowhand (uncredited)
- Gunsmoke as Little Wolf
- The 20th Century Fox Hour as Indian Chief (uncredited)
- Many Rivers to Cross as Slangoh
- Fort Yuma as Mangas
- Devil Goddess as Teinusi (as Abel M. Fernandez)
1954
- Lassie as Grady
- The Wonderful World of Disney as Kiasax
- The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin as O-Ye-Tza
- Rose Marie as Indian warrior