Cliff DeYoung

Biography

Clifford Tobin DeYoung, born on February 12, 1945, is a versatile American actor and musician. Before embarking on his acting journey, DeYoung was the frontman for the 1960s rock band Clear Light, which shared the stage with iconic acts like The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin. Following the band's dissolution, he took to the Broadway stage, notably featuring in the groundbreaking musical Hair and the Tony Award-winning play Sticks and Bones.

After four fruitful years in New York City, DeYoung returned to California, where he landed a leading role in the television film Sunshine. The poignant story revolves around a young mother battling cancer and features the musical talents of John Denver. The film's song "My Sweet Lady" ascended to #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1974, leading to a short-lived series adaptation and a sequel, Sunshine Christmas, in 1977.

Throughout his career, DeYoung has appeared in over 80 films and TV series, including notable works such as The 3,000 Mile Chase (1977), Centennial (1978), and the cult classic Shock Treatment (1981), where he showcased his unique talents by portraying two characters in a duet. In the acclaimed Civil War film Glory (1989), he depicted the controversial Colonel James Montgomery. His extensive credits also include appearances in Suicide Kings (1997) and Last Flight Out (2004), along with guest roles in popular series like Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and The Young and the Restless.