Cornell Young IV is gaining attention as one of the new faces of Netflix’s A Different World sequel, where he plays college football star Shaquille Johnson. This profile explains his age, Missouri background, football career, education, acting work, family details, and what is currently known about his personal life.
Interest in Young IV has increased following the September 24, 2026, premiere of the new series. Although searches for a “Cornell Young IV Wikipedia” page are increasing, his biography is still developing, so some personal details remain unavailable from reliable public sources.
Background: Who Is Cornell Young IV?
Cornell Young IV is an American actor and former college football player from Missouri. He was born on February 14, 2000, and is 26 years old as of September 2026.
Before becoming known for acting, Young IV had a football background that closely connects with his current television role. He played football at Kirkwood High School in Missouri and later continued his athletic career in college.
His breakthrough television role came with Netflix’s A Different World, the sequel series set at the fictional Hillman College. Young IV plays Shaquille Johnson, the son of original-series character Ron Johnson, portrayed by Darryl M. Bell.
Key fact: Cornell Young IV is not the subject of an obituary or death report. Current reliable sources identify him as an active actor whose latest major project is Netflix’s A Different World.
Latest Update
The new Netflix series is the main reason Young IV is trending in searches right now. The 10-episode sequel introduces a new generation of Hillman College students while bringing back several performers from the original sitcom.
Netflix identifies Young IV as part of the show’s main young cast. His character, Shaquille Johnson, is a star athlete at Hillman and the son of Ron Johnson, one of the returning characters from the original series.
Recent interviews have also highlighted the connection between Young IV’s real-life athletic background and the football storyline of his character. He played football before beginning his professional acting career.
Full Profile
Family and Early Life
Cornell Young IV was born and raised in Missouri. Public profiles identify him as the son of Cornell Young III and Shonte Harmon-Young.
Young IV has also spoken about growing up with sisters. A recent profile about his A Different World role states that he has four sisters and described his upbringing as a positive one.
Beyond those publicly reported details, Young IV has kept much of his family life private. Information about extended relatives should not be assumed unless it comes from a reliable source or Young IV himself.
Career Path
Young IV’s career began with football rather than acting. At Kirkwood High School, he played multiple positions, including running back, wide receiver, cornerback, and defensive roles.
He later played college football as a wide receiver. McKendree University’s official athletics roster lists him as a 6-foot-3, 190-pound freshman wide receiver in 2018, with Kirkwood, Missouri, listed as his hometown.
His transition into entertainment developed during and after college. Young IV has explained that he enjoyed movies and acting while growing up, and theater eventually became an important part of his college experience.
His first television credits came in 2025. He appeared in Beyond the Gates and later played Todd in Netflix’s Forever.
In 2026, he appeared in D.O.P.E. Unit and took on his most prominent role to date as Shaquille Johnson in A Different World.
Age
Cornell Young IV was born on February 14, 2000, according to published biographical information. That makes him 26 years old as of September 26, 2026.
Religion
Cornell Young IV’s religion has not been reliably established through the major public sources reviewed for this profile. He has not been widely documented publicly as belonging to a specific denomination.
Because religious affiliation is personal, it should not be inferred from his family background, roles, interviews, or other indirect information.
Spouse or Partner
Cornell Young IV has not publicly confirmed a spouse or long-term partner in the reliable sources reviewed. Recent entertainment coverage has described his relationship status as private.
Online speculation about his dating life should therefore be separated from confirmed information. No marriage or engagement is established by the sources reviewed.
Net Worth
Cornell Young IV’s net worth has not been reliably disclosed. Several entertainment websites may publish estimates, but there is not enough authoritative financial information to give a verified figure.
His growing television career may lead to more public information about his professional work, but a specific net-worth amount should not be presented as fact without credible documentation.
Parents
Young IV’s parents are identified as Cornell Young III and Shonte Harmon-Young. His father’s name also appears in McKendree University’s official football roster.
The public sources reviewed do not provide a detailed biography of either parent, so additional claims about their careers or backgrounds are not included here.
Height
Cornell Young IV is listed at 6 feet 3 inches tall by McKendree University’s athletics roster and by IMDb’s biographical information.
His height is also consistent with the physical profile associated with his football background and his role as a college football player in A Different World.
Education
Young IV attended Kirkwood High School in Missouri, where he played football and also competed in track and field.
He later attended college and played football at McKendree University. His college experience also included theater, which helped him explore acting alongside athletics.
Recent interviews describe him as having taken marketing courses while participating in theater during college. That combination helped him develop interests outside football.
Hometown and State of Origin
Cornell Young IV is from Missouri. His public football records list Kirkwood, Missouri, as his hometown, while entertainment profiles describe him as having been born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri.
His Missouri background is an important part of his biography because football was a major part of his early life before acting became his professional focus.
Official Social Media
No social-media profile could be confidently identified as Cornell Young IV’s official account from the authoritative sources reviewed for this article. Readers should verify an account through a link published by Young IV, Netflix, his representatives, or another trusted source before treating it as official.
Quick Profile Table
| Profile Detail | Confirmed Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Cornell Young IV |
| Date of Birth | February 14, 2000 |
| Age | 26 years old |
| Birth/Hometown | Missouri; public profiles identify St. Louis/Kirkwood |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actor; former college football player |
| Height | 6 feet 3 inches |
| Parents | Cornell Young III and Shonte Harmon-Young |
| High School | Kirkwood High School |
| College | McKendree University |
| Current Major Role | Shaquille Johnson in A Different World |
| Religion | Not publicly confirmed |
| Spouse/Partner | Not publicly confirmed |
| Net Worth | Not publicly confirmed |
Reader Questions (FAQ)
Who is Cornell Young IV?
Cornell Young IV is an American actor and former college football player from Missouri. He currently stars as Shaquille Johnson in Netflix’s A Different World sequel.
How old is Cornell Young IV?
Cornell Young IV is 26 years old as of September 2026. He was born on February 14, 2000.
Where is Cornell Young IV from?
Young IV is from Missouri and has been described as being born and raised in the St. Louis area. His college football record lists Kirkwood, Missouri, as his hometown.
What does Cornell Young IV play in A Different World?
Cornell Young IV plays Shaquille Johnson in Netflix’s A Different World sequel. Shaquille is a star football player at the fictional Hillman College and the son of original-series character Ron Johnson.
Did Cornell Young IV play football in real life?
Yes. Young IV played football at Kirkwood High School and later at McKendree University as a wide receiver.
Who are Cornell Young IV’s parents?
His parents are Cornell Young III and Shonte Harmon-Young. His father’s name is also listed in McKendree University’s official athletics records.
How tall is Cornell Young IV?
Cornell Young IV is listed as 6 feet 3 inches tall. That measurement appears in his college football record and his IMDb biography.
Is Cornell Young IV married?
There is no confirmed public information showing that Cornell Young IV is married. His current relationship status has largely remained private.
What movies and TV shows has Cornell Young IV been in?
His acting credits include Beyond the Gates, Netflix’s Forever, D.O.P.E. Unit, and A Different World. He is also appearing in Tyler Perry’s Doing Life.
Does Cornell Young IV have a Wikipedia page?
A comprehensive Wikipedia biography was not identified among the reliable sources reviewed for this article. His biography is instead documented through Netflix, his college athletics records, entertainment publications, and film and television databases.
Wrap-Up
Cornell Young IV is a Missouri-born actor whose path to television began with football. His experience as a high-school and college athlete now connects closely with his role as Shaquille Johnson, the football star at the center of his storyline in Netflix’s A Different World.
His acting career is still relatively new, with television credits beginning in 2025 and expanding in 2026. The September 24 premiere of A Different World has brought him significantly more attention and is the main reason searches for his name are currently increasing.
Some parts of Young IV’s personal biography remain private, including his religion, relationship status, finances, and official social-media presence. Those details should be treated as unconfirmed unless Young IV or a reliable primary source makes them public.
Disclaimer
This profile is based on publicly available information from Netflix, McKendree University Athletics, and established entertainment publications and databases reviewed on September 26, 2026. Details that could not be independently verified have been identified as unconfirmed rather than presented as fact. This article is informational and may be updated as Cornell Young IV’s career and public biography develop.
Thomas Andrew is the founder of Odubio.com, a digital platform sharing inspiring biographies, news, and stories about global icons and achievers.