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