Bellamy Young

Bellamy Young

Young at the Divergent film premiere in 2014
Born Amy Maria Young
(1970-02-19) February 19, 1970
Asheville, North Carolina
Alma mater Yale University
Occupation Actress, singer, producer
Years active 1994-present
Partner(s) Ed Weeks (2016-present)
Website Official Website

Bellamy Young (born Amy Maria Young; February 19, 1970)[1] is an American television, film, theatre actress, singer and producer, best known for her role as First Lady of the United States Melody "Mellie" Grant in the ABC drama series Scandal (2012–present). In 2014, for her portrayal of Mellie, Young won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

Early life

Young was born as Amy Maria Young[2] in Asheville, North Carolina, and raised by adoptive parents.[3] Her mother was her teacher from sixth grade through eighth grade. She had to change her name to join the Screen Actors Guild since there was another Amy Young registered.[4] She chose the name Bellamy as a tribute to her late father's best friend, Bill Bellamy, who had helped to raise her after her father died.[5]

She won North Carolina's Junior Miss scholarship program and graduated from Asheville School in 1987.[6] She attended Yale University studying English and Theatre and graduated in 1991.[7] Young spent a summer during college at the British American Drama Academy at Oxford University in England.[8]

Career

1995–2011

Young began her acting career in theatre. In the 1990s, she performed in a number of Broadway shows including the original production of The Life.[9][10] On Off-Broadway, Young appeared on Stephen Sondheim's musical Merrily We Roll Along (1994), and Randy Newman's Faust (1995–1996).[4][11] In 1995, Young made her television debut in a recurring role on the NBC daytime soap opera Another World as Dr. Courtney Evans.[8] She guest-starred on Law & Order in 1997 and 1998, in two different roles. In 1999 she made her film debut with a small role in the crime drama Black and White and later co-starred in several independent films. In 2000's she began appearing in guest-starring roles on a number of television dramas and comedies, including The Drew Carey Show, The X Files, ER, Frasier, The West Wing, NCIS, Medium, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Two and a Half Men, Supernatural, Drop Dead Diva, and Castle. From 2000 to 2011, Young made over 30 guest appearances on television shows.

Young was a regular cast member in the USA Network series Peacemakers in 2003. The show was cancelled after one season of nine episodes. She had recurring roles in the Lifetime legal drama series For the People as Deputy Dist. Atty. Agnes Hunt in 2002, on NBC period drama American Dreams as Diane Shaw in 2003, on NBC's Scrubs as Dr. Grace Miller in 2004, as Assistant State Attorney Monica West on CBS's CSI: Miami (2005–06), and on ABC primetime soap opera Dirty Sexy Money (2008–2009) as Ellen Darling, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Darling family. She also had a recurring role in Criminal Minds as Beth Clemmons from 2011 to 2013.[12][13]

Young at an event in October 2014

Young has appeared in supporting roles in a couple of films, including We Were Soldiers (2002) and Mission: Impossible III (2006), along with independent movies like Larceny (2004), Eve of Understanding (2006), Trust Me (2007), This Is Not a Test (2008), In My Sleep (2010), The Freebie (2010), and Joint Body (2014).

2012–present

Young attending the 2014 White House Correspondent's Dinner

In 2011 Shonda Rhimes cast Young in the recurring role of First Lady Melody "Mellie" Grant on the ABC political thriller television series Scandal opposite Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn. Before Scandal, Young appeared in Shonda Rhimes' Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. She appeared in every episode of the first season of Scandal and was upgraded to a series regular as of season two.[14][15] Young later said that originally her part was a minor role for the three episode recurring arc.[16]Young has received critical acclaim for her performance as First Lady and won generally favorable reviews from critics during the second and third seasons.[17][18] The Daily Beast named her the "Breakout Star" of the show in 2014.[19] Many critics praised Young's performance in her character's centered episode "Everything's Coming Up Mellie" of the third season.[20][21] Cicely K. Dyson's review for The Wall Street Journal states: "Bellamy Young has been an amazing scene stealer for two-and-a-half seasons, and this time she finally got her chance to shine."[22] Robert Rorke, writing for The New York Post, states that, "In Mellie, the show has its most fleshed-out character and in Young, its most compelling performer... The television academy has nominated Washington once for Best Actress in a Drama Series. Let’s see if they remember Bellamy Young next July, when the nominations come out."[23] In 2014, Young was a promising contender for an Emmy Award in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category,[24][25] though she did not receive a nomination.[26] She won a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in season three.[27]

On May 15, 2015, Young released her first album, Far Away So Close, on iTunes.[28] The 10-song album covers songs from Pink to Fleetwood Mac.

Personal life

Young lives in Los Angeles, where Scandal is filmed and has three cats and a dog. She has been a vegan since 1988.[29][30] In February 2016, Young confirmed she was dating British actor Ed Weeks, the two began dating a month prior.[31] Young is close friends with her ex-boyfriend actor Joshua Leonard.

Politics and Philanthropy

Young performing at the National Christmas Tree Lighting in Washington, D.C. in December 2015

In 2015, Young won Celebrity Jeopardy! and as a result won $50,000 for Operation Blankets of Love. At the 2015 GMHC AIDS Walk New York, Young gave a speech at the opening ceremony as well as taking part in the walk.[32] A long time supporter of shelter adoption, Young appeared in an advert for the shelter pet project with Ad Council in 2015. Young has been a longtime sufferer of Migraines and is a partner with Treximet to spread awareness.[33]

Young is a Democrat and has expressed her support for Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential bid - Young headlined at a fundraiser event for Clinton in April 2016. After performing at the 2015 National Christmas Tree Lighting, it was announced that in 2016 she would be co-ambassador, along with Chelsea Clinton, of the Trust for the National Mall.[34][35] Young is Pro Choice and in 2016 was 1 of 7 actresses to campaign for 'draw the line' which aims to draw the line against attacks on safe and legal abortion.[36] In the same year, Young participated in a campaign with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in which the title was 'Being Vegan Keeps Me Young'.[37]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1999 Black and White Bellamy Uncredited
1999 Picture This Monique
2001 Mission Sandy
2002 Swatters Mary Dolan
2002 We Were Soldiers Catherine Metsker
2004 Larceny Kiki
2008 Vision of a Murder Tina Moore Television film
2005 Darcy's Off-White Wedding Donatella Short film
2006 Eve of Understanding Cassie
2006 Mission: Impossible III Rachael
2007 Simple Things Terry Hudson Also executive producer
2007 Trust Me Carrie
2008 One, Two, Many Jennifer
2008 This Is Not a Test Teresa
2008 Mask of the Ninja Gina Television film
2009 Tender as Hellfire Cheryl Short film
2010 Freebie, TheThe Freebie Jessica
2010 In My Sleep Olivia
2010 Pound of Flesh Daniella Melville
2011 Joint Body Jane Chapman
2012 Last Day on Earth Pamala
2012 The Cottage Annie Also executive producer
2015 Day Out of Days Rebecca
2016 Offer & Compromise Karen
2016 The Night Stalker[38] Kit

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Another World Dr. Courtney Evans Recurring role
1997 Law & Order Ellen O'Brien Episode: "Blood"
1998 Law & Order Stephanie Harker Episode: "True North"
2000 Drew Carey Show, TheThe Drew Carey Show Bridget Episode: "The Gang Stops Drinking"
2000 Nash Bridges Diana Carr Episode: "The Messenger"
2000 X-Files, TheThe X-Files Attorney Janet Wilson Episode: "Redrum"
2001 District, TheThe District Bethany Fortoro Episode: "To Serve and Protect"
2001 ER Grace Episode: "If I Should Fall from Grace"
2002 Frasier Lisa Episode: "Three Blind Dates"
2002 For the People Deputy Dist. Atty. Agnes Hunt Recurring role
2003 Peacemakers Twyla Gentry Series regular, 9 episodes
2003 American Dreams Diane Shaw Episodes: "Another Saturday Night", "Life's Illusions", "Rescue Me"
2004 West Wing, TheThe West Wing MaryLou Meriwether Episode: "The Stormy Present"
2004 NCIS A.T.F. Special Agent Melinda Stone Episode: "Split Decision"
2004, 2009 Scrubs Dr. Miller Recurring role, 6 episodes
2004 Strong Medicine Erin Berman Episode: "Code"
2005 North Shore Mrs. Lasser Episode: "Shark"
2005 Medium Kate Emery Episode: "Judge, Jury and Executioner"
2005–2006 CSI: Miami Assistant State Attorney Monica West Recurring role, 6 episodes
2007 Close to Home Sarah Paulson Episode: "Road Rage"
2007 Grey's Anatomy Kathy Episodes: "The Other Side of This Life: Parts 1 & 2"
2007 Boston Legal Cynthia Nichols Episode: "Beauty and the Beast"
2007 Private Practice Kathy Episode: "In Which Charlotte Goes Down the Rabbit Hole"
2007 Cold Case Audrey Metz (1938) Episode: "World's End"
2007–2008 Dirty Sexy Money Ellen Darling Recurring role, 9 episodes
2008 Two and a Half Men Diane Episode: "The Mooch at the Boo"
2008 Knight Rider Amy Clark Episode: "Knight Rider"
2009 Knight Rider Amy Clark Episode: "Fly by Knight"
2009 Trust Me Carrie Taylor Episode: "But Wait, There's More"
2009 Ghost Whisperer Lucy Stanton Episode: "Cursed"
2009 Supernatural Sarah / Lucifer Episode: "Sympathy for the Devil"
2010 Edgar Floats Jennifer Wade TV pilot
2010 Drop Dead Diva Emily Parcellas Episode: "The Long Road to Napa"
2010 Mentalist, TheThe Mentalist Melanie Ayers Episode: "Cackle-Bladder-Blood"
2010 Law & Order: LA Monica Jarrow Episode: "Playa Vista"
2011 Working Class Brooke Episode: "The Dance"
2011 United States of Tara Bridgette Episodes: "The Full F**k You Finger", "Wheels"
2011 Castle Candace Ford Episode: "Pretty Dead"
2011 Protector, TheThe Protector Skylar Brenn Episode: "Wings"
2011–2013 Criminal Minds Beth Clemmons Recurring role, 7 episodes
2012 Franklin & Bash Margaret Pollack Episode: "L'affaire Du Coeur"
2012–present Scandal Melody "Mellie" Grant Series regular
Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Theatre

Year Production Role Notes
1997 The Life Mary Ethel Barrymore Theatre

References

  1. ↑ "Bellamy Young". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  2. ↑ "Bellamy Young on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  3. ↑ "Bellamy Young interview with Marie Osmond.". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
  4. 1 2 "Bellamy Young: Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  5. ↑ Gomez, Patrick. "Bellamy Young Opens Up About Being Adopted, Her Real First Name and How She Almost Missed Out on Scandal". Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  6. ↑ "Notable Alumni". Asheville School. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Yale Class of 1991". Alumninet.yale.edu. 2000-05-23. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  8. 1 2 "Bellamy Young Biography". BuddyTV. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  9. ↑ Canby, Vincent (5 October 1997). "SUNDAY VIEW; Why Whisper About It? 'The Life' Is a Joy". The New York Times. p. 5.
  10. ↑ Brantley, Ben (28 April 1997). "Lively Women, but Very Tired". The New York Times. p. 12.
  11. ↑ Brantley, Ben (26 October 1996). "Two Takes on the Devil: The Charms of the Seedy Give Way to Sunday Best". The New York Times. p. 15.
  12. ↑ Sandra Gonzalez (October 17, 2011). "'Criminal Minds' scoop: Former 'Dirty Sexy Money' star to guest as [SPOILER]'s love interest". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  13. ↑ Sadie Gennis (July 28, 2012). "Bellamy Young Returns to Criminal Minds". TV Guide. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  14. ↑ Lesley Goldberg (June 12, 2012). "'Scandal' Ups Bellamy Young to Series Regular for Season 2". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  15. ↑ Natalie Abrams (June 12, 2012). "Scandal Scoop: Bellamy Young Promoted to Series Regular". TV Guide. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  16. ↑ "Emmys: 'Scandal's' Bellamy Young on Finding Inspiration in Michelle Obama". Hollywood Reporter. 2013-06-24. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  17. ↑ Rorke, Robert (2013-11-18). "‘Scandal’ co-star Bellamy Young shines in shocker | New York Post". Nypost.com. Retrieved 2013-11-18.
  18. ↑ Porter, Rick. "'Scandal's' Bellamy Young wins Critics' Choice Award: Score one for Team Mellie – Zap2it | News & Features". Zap2it. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  19. ↑ 04.17.14. "How 'Scandal' Star Bellamy Young Transformed Mellie Into Fans' Favorite Character". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  20. ↑ Team TVLine. "Performers of the Week: Sons of Anarchy’s Maggie Siff and Scandal’s Bellamy Young". TVLine. Retrieved 2013-11-18.
  21. ↑ "'Scandal's' Bellamy Young on Her Flashback Episode: 'Seismic Turns' and Mellie's 'Wrecking Ball' Exposed". Hollywood Reporter. 2013-11-14. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  22. ↑ Nov 14, 2013 (2013-11-14). "‘Scandal’ Recap, Season 3, Episode 7, ‘Everything’s Coming Up Mellie’ – Speakeasy – WSJ". Blogs.wsj.com. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  23. ↑ Rorke, Robert (2013-11-17). "‘Scandal’ co-star Bellamy Young shines in shocker | New York Post". Nypost.com. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  24. ↑ Team TVLine / June 13, 2014, 7:15 AM PDT (2014-06-13). "[PHOTOS] Emmys 2014: Best Supporting Actress in a Drama — 6 Dream Nominees!". TVLine. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  25. ↑ "8 Questions With 'Scandal' Star Bellamy Young: Emmy Contender Quickie". TheWrap. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  26. ↑ Michael Ausiello (July 10, 2014). "Primetime Emmy Nominations 2014: My Snappy Judgements". TV Line. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  27. ↑ Bacle, Ariana. "Critics' Choice TV Awards 2014: And the nominees are...; Entertainment Weekly". insidetv.ew.com. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
  28. ↑ "Far Away So Close". iTunes. 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Bellamy Young on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  30. ↑ "Twitter / BellamyYoung: “@GiannaCollier: @BellamyYoung". Twitter.com. 2014-04-15. Retrieved 2014-04-29.
  31. ↑ "Bellamy Young and Ed Weeks are 'dating' after PDA-filled night". Mail Online. Retrieved 2016-05-02.
  32. ↑ "GMHC | 30th Annual AIDS Walk New York". www.gmhc.org. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  33. ↑ Carstensen, Melinda (2015-06-25). "‘Scandal’ actress reveals battle with debilitating condition | Fox News". Fox News. Retrieved 2016-05-03.
  34. ↑ "HuffPost Live". live.huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
  35. ↑ "Bellamy Young on Working with Chelsea Clinton and Being a Big Fan of Dad Bill". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
  36. ↑ "Draw the Line". Draw the Line. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  37. ↑ "Actor Bellamy Young Delights in Rewards of Vegan Living". PETA. Retrieved 2016-04-17.
  38. ↑ Dave McNary (2015-06-23). "‘Scandal’ Star Bellamy Young Joins ‘Night Stalker’ Movie - Variety". Variety. Retrieved 5 July 2015.

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