Date of Birth : Aug 25th 1949
This American film actor also multitasks as a producer, composer and production manager. He rose to fame in the 70s, praised for his range and sensitivity. His blonde rugged looks helped viewers connect even more easily to his powerful performances.
Born John Youngs in Old Bethpage, New York, Savage attended the American Academy of Performing Arts. The Long Island boy debuted on Broadway in the chorus of “Fiddler On the Roof”. He ended up playing one of the sons, after another actor fell sick. During this production, Managers Stewart Cohen and Rudy Altobelli discovered Savage. Between 1972 and 1975 Savage did a number of films a TV show and spent three years doing theater in Chicago; One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s nest and Dance on a country Grave.
He subsequently moved to Los Angeles to star in Eric with Patricia Neal and Mark Hamill, then was cast by Dir Ulu Grossbard to play Bobby in the original production of David Mamet’s “American Buffalo”.
Savage first made a major splash with The Deer Hunter, winner of the 1979 Best Picture Oscar. The film’s impact on Hollywood and America remains enormous. Director Michael Cimino cast him as Steven, who returns from Vietnam missing his legs.
Married twice – first to artist Susan Youngs, later to South African TV star Sandi Schultz – Savage is the father of ceramic artist Lachlan Youngs and actress-singer-songwriter Jennifer Youngs.
CAREER
The Damned United ( 2009 )
Kill Your Darlings ( 2006 )
The New World ( 2006 )
Summer of Sam ( 2000 )
Message in a Bottle ( 1999 )
The Godfather: Part III ( 1991 )
The Deer Hunter ( 1979 )
Steelyard Blues ( 1973 )