---
name: "Sean Young"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/sean-young"
fi1m_id: "sean-young"
imdb_id: "nm0000707"
tmdb_id: 586
wikidata_id: "Q230736"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "20 November 1959"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 8
average_fi1m_score: 67
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 8
updated: "2026-10-04T21:47:35.127262+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Sean Young

## Identity

Sean Young

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/sean-young
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** sean-young
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000707
- **TMDB ID:** 586
- **Wikidata ID:** Q230736
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Young, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q230736, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000707/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/586

Actor. Born 20 November 1959 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 20 November 1959, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- **Active:** 1981–2017
- **Also known as:** Mary Sean Young, شان یانگ
- **Average Fi1m score:** 67, as actor, over 8 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 76 (3), 1990s 41 (2), 2000s 66 (1), 2010s 80 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 67 to 62 across 7 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 5, Crime 3, Comedy 2, Mystery 2, Science Fiction 2, Thriller 2
- **Screen time:** 14 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $553m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Young, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q230736, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000707/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/586

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Stripes*](https://film.one/film/stripes.md) (70)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Sean Young

> In *Blade Runner*, Sean Young makes a guarded character worth caring about without making her easy to read. We rate her controlled acting, though the habit of casting her as an enigma can narrow what she gets to do.

Rachael's composure in *Blade Runner* (1982) makes us watch for what is troubling her, even when she offers little help. Sean Young keeps her poised without making her seem comfortable; there is enough uncertainty to keep us looking. We were moved by her effort to remain composed, because Young makes it suggest feelings she cannot easily put into words. Ridley Scott's chilly film suits this acting, though its spare detective story is not always so rewarding. Young gives us someone to care about when the city threatens to take all our attention.

The films that followed gave that reserve different settings: Chani in David Lynch's *Dune* (1984), then Susan Atwell in *No Way Out* (1987). Opposite Kevin Costner in the latter, she makes the attraction between them persuasive. Kate Gekko in Oliver Stone's *Wall Street* (1987) was a supporting part, and a reduced one. Across her science-fiction and thriller roles, the poised, difficult-to-read woman became familiar casting for Young. It uses something she does well, but a script still needs to give her something beyond being mysterious.

Her dance training helps explain the controlled physical presence; it does not, by itself, explain why Rachael holds our interest. The useful comparison is with Harrison Ford's Deckard, whose reserve in *Blade Runner* can make an already thin story harder to care about. Young's coolness prompts questions about the character, where his sometimes leaves a scene much as it found it. We would not take this as proof that restraint always works. Here it works because we want to know what maintaining it costs her.

The comedy of *Ace Ventura: Pet Detective* (1994), in which she plays Einhorn, is a useful reminder not to confine her to science fiction and thrillers. Her later work has continued through independent films, television and direct-to-video projects. The question for a director casting her is what that guarded presence is protecting, and whether the script gives her enough to play. For a first encounter, choose *Blade Runner* and allow for the chilly pace; Young rewards the attention.

## Biography

Sean Young is an American actress. Born Mary Sean Young on 20 November 1959 in Louisville, Kentucky, she trained as a dancer at the School of American Ballet in New York and attended the Interlochen Arts Academy.

She made her film debut in *Jane Austen in Manhattan* (1980) and gained attention for her role in *Stripes* (1981). Young is known for portraying Rachael in *Blade Runner* (1982), Chani in *Dune* (1984), and roles in *No Way Out* (1987), *Wall Street* (1987) and *Ace Ventura: Pet Detective* (1994). She appeared in *Blade Runner 2049* (2017).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, themoviedb.org.*

## On Fi1m (8)

- *Blade Runner 2049* (2017), Fi1m 83, as Rachael — [page](https://film.one/film/blade-runner-2049.md)
- *Bone Tomahawk* (2015), Fi1m 78, as Mrs. Porter — [page](https://film.one/film/bone-tomahawk.md)
- *One Tree Hill* (2003), Fi1m 66, as Hope Brown — [page](https://film.one/tv/one-tree-hill.md)
- *Ace Ventura: Pet Detective* (1994), Fi1m 44, as Einhorn — [page](https://film.one/film/ace-ventura-pet-detective.md)
- *A Kiss Before Dying* (1991), Fi1m 38, as Ellen / Dorothy Carlsson — [page](https://film.one/film/a-kiss-before-dying.md)
- *Wall Street* (1987), Fi1m 74, as Kate Gekko — [page](https://film.one/film/wall-street.md)
- *Blade Runner* (1982), Fi1m 85, as Rachael — [page](https://film.one/film/blade-runner.md)
- *Stripes* (1981), Fi1m 70, as Louise Cooper — [page](https://film.one/film/stripes.md)

## Complete filmography (121)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Dummy Detective* (2025), as Harriet Hubbard
- *Crave* (2025), as Brigitte
- *The Activated Man* (2024), as Agnes Gabriel
- *Heather* (2024), as Caitlyn
- *Nick and Nicky* (2024), as Gloria
- *Ape X Mecha Ape: New World Order* (2024), as Lemuria
- *MY-01* (2023), as Dr. Athena Bennett
- *Ouija Witch* (2023), as Lilith
- *DC Down* (2023), as President Powell
- *No Vacancy* (2022), as Brandi Michaels
- *Planet Dune* (2021), as Chase
- *Rain Beau's End* (2020), as Nat Flickerman
- *Who Wants Dessert?* (2020), as Dr. Chambers
- *5th Borough* (2020), as Sabina
- *In Vino* (2019), as Linda
- *Axcellerator* (2019), as Amanda Graham
- *Police State* (2018), Actor
- *Healed by Grace 2 : Ten Days of Grace* (2018), as Becky Cavanaugh
- *Above All Things* (2018), as Barbara
- *The Alienist* (2018), series, as Mrs. Van Bergen
- *Future '38* (2017), as Mabel
- *Blade Runner 2049* (2017), as Rachael — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/blade-runner-2049.md)
- *The Networker* (2017), as Margie Mangano
- *Escape Room* (2017), as Ramona
- *Lost Cat Corona* (2017), as Roxie
- *Confidence Game* (2016), as Sylvie
- *Leaves of the Tree* (2016), as Sweetness
- *The Black Dove* (2016), as Bonnie Williams
- *Bone Tomahawk* (2015), as Mrs. Porter — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/bone-tomahawk.md)
- *Darling* (2015), as Madame
- *Star Trek: Renegades* (2015), series, as Dr. Lucien
- *Charlie Mantle* (2014), as Ms. Mantle
- *My Trip Back to the Dark Side* (2014), as Actress
- *M.A.R.R.A* (2014), as Zoe
- *Dummy Detective* (2014), Actor
- *Random Encounters* (2013), as Terri Preston
- *Complicity* (2013), as Cynthia Tapple Ph D.
- *Jug Face* (2013), as Loriss
- *Gingerclown* (2013), as Nelly the Spiderwoman
- *Send No Flowers* (2013), as Toni Albano
- *Attack of the 50 Foot Cheerleader* (2012), as Brenda Stratford
- *The Republic* (2010), as Martha Alden
- *Haunted Echoes* (2008), as Laura Dykstra
- *Moscow Days, L.A. Nights* (2008), Actor
- *Parasomnia* (2008), as Madeline Volpe
- *The Man Who Came Back* (2008), as Kate
- *Jesse Stone: Sea Change* (2007), as Sybil Martin
- *A Job to Kill For* (2006), as Jennifer Kamplan
- *The Drop* (2006), as Ivy
- *The Garden* (2006), as Miss Grace Chapman
- *Living the Dream* (2006), as Brenda
- *Home for the Holidays* (2005), as Martha McCarthy
- *Yesenin* (2005), series, as Айседора Дункан
- *Headspace* (2005), as Mother
- *Third Man Out: A Donald Strachey Mystery* (2005), as Ann Rutka
- *Ghosts Never Sleep* (2005), as Rebecca
- *A Killer Within* (2004), as Rebecca 'Becky' Terrill
- *Until the Night* (2004), as Cosma
- *One Tree Hill* (2003), series, as Hope Brown — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/one-tree-hill.md)
- *Reno 911!* (2003), series, as New Wiegel
- *The King and Queen of Moonlight Bay* (2003), as Sandy Bateman
- *First to Die* (2003), as Joanna Wade
- *Kingpin* (2003), series, as Lorelei Klein
- *Russians in the City of Angels* (2003), series, as Rachael Somov
- *Before I Say Goodbye* (2003), as Nell MacDermott Cauliff
- *Threat of Exposure* (2002), as Dr. Daryl Sheleigh
- *The House Next Door* (2002), as Monica
- *Aftermath* (2002), as Rachel Anderson
- *Night Class* (2001), as Claire Sherwood
- *Mockingbird Don't Sing* (2001), as Dr. Judy Bingham
- *Sugar & Spice* (2001), as Mrs. Hill
- *The Amati Girls* (2001), as Christine
- *Poor White Trash* (2000), as Linda Bronco
- *Boston Public* (2000), series, as Candy Sobell
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Dusty
- *Painful Secrets* (2000), as Joyce Cottrell
- *Third Watch* (1999), series, as Nancy
- *Out of Control* (1998), as Lena
- *The Cowboy and the Movie Star* (1998), as Sean Livingston
- *Motel Blue* (1997), as Lana Hawking
- *Men* (1997), as Stella James
- *The Invader* (1997), as Annie Nilssen
- *Gun* (1997), series, as Paula
- *Exception to the Rule* (1997), as Angela Bayer
- *Everything to Gain* (1996), as Mallory Jordan Keswick
- *The Proprietor* (1996), as Virginia Kelly / Sally
- *Evil Has a Face* (1996), as Gwen McGerrall
- *Mirage* (1995), as Jennifer Gale
- *Bolt* (1995), as Patty Deerheart
- *Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde* (1995), as Helen Hyde
- *ER* (1994), series, as Anna Hayes — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *Even Cowgirls Get the Blues* (1994), as Marie Barth
- *Model by Day* (1994), as Mercedes
- *Witness to the Execution* (1994), as Jessica Traynor · Second Unit Director
- *Ace Ventura: Pet Detective* (1994), as Einhorn — Fi1m 44, [page](https://film.one/film/ace-ventura-pet-detective.md)
- *Fatal Instinct* (1993), as Lola Cain
- *Blue Ice* (1992), as Stacy Mansdorf
- *Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me* (1992), as Twinkle
- *Sketch Artist* (1992), as Rayanne Whitfield
- *Once Upon a Crime* (1992), as Phoebe
- *Love Crimes* (1992), as Dana Greenway
- *Forever* (1992), as Mary Miles Minter
- *A Kiss Before Dying* (1991), as Ellen / Dorothy Carlsson — Fi1m 38, [page](https://film.one/film/a-kiss-before-dying.md)
- *Fire Birds* (1990), as Billie Lee Guthries
- *Cousins* (1989), as Tish Kozinski
- *The Boost* (1988), as Linda Brown
- *Wall Street* (1987), as Kate Gekko — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/wall-street.md)
- *Arena Brains* (1987), as Artist
- *Crossbow* (1987), series, Actor
- *No Way Out* (1987), as Susan Atwell
- *Blood & Orchids* (1986), series, as Lenore Bergman
- *Tender Is the Night* (1985), series, as Rosemary Hoyt
- *Under the Biltmore Clock* (1985), as Myra Harper
- *Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend* (1985), as Susan Matthews-Loomis
- *Dune* (1984), as Chani
- *Young Doctors in Love* (1982), as Dr. Stephanie Brody
- *Blade Runner* (1982), as Rachael — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/blade-runner.md)
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Myra Harper
- *Stripes* (1981), as Louise Cooper — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/stripes.md)
- *Jane Austen in Manhattan* (1980), as Ariadne Charlton
- *The Young and the Restless* (1973), series, as Meggie McClaine

## Gallery

- ![Sean Young](https://film.one/media/person/59562/gallery-ebafb49343d8.jpg) Sean Young — lukeford.net, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Sean_Young_LF_%28cropped%29.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Actor Sean Young at the Big Apple Convention in Manhattan. Photographed by Luigi Novi. This photo may only be used if the photographer is properly credited. (Se (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/59562/gallery-ff6025d42d95.jpg) Actor Sean Young at the Big Apple Convention in Manhattan. Photographed by Luigi Novi. This photo may only be used if the photographer is properly credited. (Se (2009) — Nightscream, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/10.17.09SeanYoungByLuigiNovi.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Sean Young (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/59562/gallery-5e73f5b93091.jpg) Sean Young (2016) — Sasha Kargaltsev from New York, US, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/Sean_Young_2016.jpg/1280px-Sean_Young_2016.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Sean Young (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/59562/gallery-965545806294.jpg) Sean Young (2016) — Sasha Kargaltsev from New York, US, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Sean_Young_2016_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Sean_Young_2016_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Sean Young](https://film.one/media/person/59562/gallery-f1d70e7bd67c.jpg) Sean Young — Image via TMDB
- ![Sean Young](https://film.one/media/person/59562/gallery-40ce4847cce8.jpg) Sean Young — Image via TMDB
- ![Sean Young](https://film.one/media/person/59562/gallery-d088d94d57a3.jpg) Sean Young — Image via TMDB
- ![Sean Young on the red carpet at the 60th Annual Academy Awards, 4/11/88 - Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post but please credit "photo by Ala (2006)](https://film.one/media/person/59562/gallery-2a4506fd3b82.jpg) Sean Young on the red carpet at the 60th Annual Academy Awards, 4/11/88 - Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post but please credit "photo by Ala (2006) — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/Sean_Young_on_the_red_carpet_at_the_60th_Annual_Academy_Awards.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Sean Young 01 Guests at Wizard World Chicago 2012.](https://film.one/media/person/59562/gallery-993e985f901c.jpg) Sean Young 01 Guests at Wizard World Chicago 2012. — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/WW_Chicago_2012_-_Sean_Young_01_%287785835094%29.jpg/1280px-WW_Chicago_2012_-_Sean_Young_01_%287785835094%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Sean Young](https://film.one/media/person/59562/gallery-ab944a898635.jpg) Sean Young — Image via TMDB
- ![Sean Young](https://film.one/media/person/59562/gallery-87d807dc4459.jpg) Sean Young — Image via TMDB
- ![Sean Young](https://film.one/media/person/59562/gallery-e522d6ed0270.jpg) Sean Young — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 2 won, 2 nominated

- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress 1993: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress (nominated), for *Love Crimes*
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress 1993: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress (nominated), for *Once Upon a Crime*
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress 1992: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress (won), for *A Kiss Before Dying*
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress 1992: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress (won), for *A Kiss Before Dying*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/sean-young