Thursday, March 28, 2024

What do Hollywood, Humble and Holland’s have in Common? Actor Parker Young

I had the privilege to sit down with Hollywood actor Parker Young outside of the Coronado Library. He arrived on his electric skateboard wearing a black Holland’s Bicycles T-shirt, sunglasses and a bright white million dollar smile.

Parker, who currently stars in the Bravo hit series Imposters (season two premiers on Thursday, April 5), his fiancé, Stephanie Weber, and their 3 ½ pound teacup poodle have recently become Coronado residents. Parker and Stephanie were high school sweethearts; and her family frequented the island for vacations from Tuscon, where the two of them grew up. A few years ago Parker’s parents moved to Coronado when his father, Karl Young, and a couple of buddies purchased Holland’s Bicycles. Parker and Stephanie are now expecting their first child, a daughter, in late July. When filming Imposters, the two live in Canada, but have decided that being near family in Coronado is important as their family grows.

Young did not grow up with aspirations of being an actor. It wasn’t until he was in high school that he was bitten by the theater bug, and even then it was just one of those “hey this is cool” kind of things. He was the captain of his high school football team, an excellent student and involved in the community. He was sure his credentials would land him at one of his top two college choices, UCLA or USC, so he could be in Los Angeles and pursue acting while attending university. Because the universe sometimes works in mysterious ways, his applications essentially ended up in the wrong college and his plans didn’t materialize. Instead, he was admitted to Pepperdine with a second-quarter start and off to Los Angeles he went. He quickly realized this acting thing would not be conducive to also being a student, even though his first acting gig, a commercial for XMRadio paid him a whopping $50. He chose the risk road and for the past 11 years it has paid off for him.

Parker has had dozens of roles as a professional actor (including Enlisted, Suburgatory and Arrow), as well as the role of producer on a small film. When asked what his big dream is he told me he feels very fortunate to be living it. When I pressed, he went on to say that he would like to move from television to the big screen and become a movie star. But even more so, he said, “I want to win a freaking Academy Award!” It seems to me he has all of the makings an Oscar-winning actor.

I asked him what advice he would give to a young person and he said, “It is important to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. If something scares you, lean in.” He also said, “chase what you love, don’t worry about the money;” that’s what he remembers his father telling him when he was about 10 years old. He also advises people to “celebrate the little victories,” that’s what kept him in the game. “Rejections only strengthen your character.”

When Parker is not filming he can be found doing cool stuff like working with underprivileged kids in schools and enjoying the outdoors. On his list of things to do is learning how to surf. He’s in the right place for that.

We discussed his next big role, becoming a father, of which he has no experience. From the sound of it though, he has amazing role models who will be at the ready. His mother is very excited to become a first-time grandmother. When I asked if he had concerns about the current state of the world he told me he is optimistic. And added that, “It will be a woman who changes the world.” With that comment, he won my heart. Perhaps it will be his daughter. Welcome Parker, Stephanie, and their growing family to Coronado!

 



Chris Kelly
Chris Kelly
Chris is a native San Diegan who has had business ties to Coronado from when the bridge still had a toll. She vowed to herself one day she would make the island her home. Chris has been an entrepreneur for over two decades as a business owner and business/life strategist and coach. Her work has been seen in magazines, blogs, The Seattle Times and The Huffington Post.Have news to share? Send tips, story ideas or letters to the editor to: [email protected]

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