Abel Fernandez

Abel Fernandez

1930-07-14 – 2016-05-03 (age 85) East Los Angeles, California, USA

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.

Photos

Known For

Topaz
Topaz

1969

as Cuban Guerrilla Fighter (uncredited)

The Harder They Fall
The Harder They Fall

1956

as Chief Firebird (uncredited)

Madigan
Madigan

1968

as Detective Rodriguez

Rose Marie
Rose Marie

1954

as Indian warrior

Apache Uprising
Apache Uprising

1965

as Young Apache Chief

Quicksilver
Quicksilver

1986

as Guyamo

Pork Chop Hill
Pork Chop Hill

1959

as Kindley

Rio Conchos
Rio Conchos

1964

as Mexican at Corral (uncredited)

The Last Wagon
Fort Yuma
Fort Yuma

1955

as Mangas

Devil Goddess
Devil Goddess

1955

as Teinusi (as Abel M. Fernandez)

Decision at Sundown
Decision at Sundown

1957

as Pete (uncredited)

Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round
Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round

1966

as Aztec Airlines Attendant (uncredited)

Many Rivers to Cross
Many Rivers to Cross

1955

as Slangoh

Buster's Bedroom
The Scarface Mob
The Tijuana Story
🎦
Alcatraz Express

1961

as William Youngfellow (archive footage)