Cornell Young IV went from playing college football to becoming one of the most talked-about faces on Netflix almost overnight. As Shaquille Johnson — the five-star quarterback at the heart of Netflix's A Different World sequel — the 26-year-old St. Louis native has fans everywhere asking the same questions: how old is Cornell Young IV, how tall is he, and is that twin really his brother? Here is everything verified about the breakout actor, from his football days to his twin brother, his height, and where his career goes next.
Personal Info
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Cornell Young IV |
| Profession | Actor |
| Date of Birth | February 14, 2000 |
| Age | 26 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Kirkwood, Missouri, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African American, with reported Native American ancestry |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm, reported) |
| Marital Status | Single (not publicly linked to anyone) |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
| Education | Kirkwood High School; Westminster College; McKendree University (Marketing) |
| Career Debut | 2025 (television) |
| Known For | Shaquille Johnson in Netflix's A Different World (2026) |
| Source of Income | Acting (television and film roles) |
Early Life & Family
Cornell Young IV was born on February 14, 2000, in Kirkwood, Missouri, to Shonte (née Harmon) and Cornell Young III. He was raised on the north side of St. Louis as one of seven children — and yes, he has a twin brother, David Vann. The two are fraternal (not identical) twins, and their joint appearance at the A Different World premiere sent fans into a frenzy.
Athletics shaped his early years. At Kirkwood High School, Young played American football as a running back, cornerback, and wide receiver, and he was part of the team that won the Missouri state Class 6A championship. He continued his football career in college — first at Westminster College, then at McKendree University, where he played wide receiver wearing number 14 while studying marketing. It was at McKendree that he also got involved in university theatre, rekindling an interest in acting that dated back to middle-school plays.
Career Journey
| Phase | Details |
|---|---|
| Football years | Star athlete at Kirkwood High School (state champion) and college wide receiver at Westminster College and McKendree University. |
| Theatre return | Got involved in university theatre at McKendree while studying marketing — calling himself a "real-life Troy Bolton" for juggling football practice and rehearsals. |
| TV debut (2025) | Appeared as Jameel in one episode of Mind Your Business, as Todd in two episodes of Netflix's Forever, and as a Photographer in two episodes of Beyond the Gates. |
| Breakthrough (2026) | Cast as Shaquille Johnson — a five-star football recruit and son of Ron Johnson (Darryl M. Bell) — in Netflix's A Different World sequel (10 episodes). Premiered September 24, 2026; the show hit #2 on Netflix's global TV chart. |
| 2026 roles | Played Darius in one episode of Dream House and Maurice "Mac Machine Mo" Jackson in two episodes of D.O.P.E. Unit. |
| Film debut | Appeared as Donovan in the Tyler Perry Netflix drama film Doing Life. |
| Viral moment | His character's Lamborghini arrival at Hillman College became a meme and fan-edit sensation, making him one of the most discussed new faces of the series. |
Net Worth 2026
Cornell Young IV's net worth has not been publicly disclosed. As a breakout actor whose career only began in 2025, his income comes from his television roles — most notably his series-regular paycheck from Netflix's A Different World — along with his film appearance in Tyler Perry's Doing Life. Given how early he is in his career, no credible net worth estimate has been published, and any figure floating around online should be treated as speculation.
Personal Life
Young keeps his personal life largely out of the spotlight. He is one of seven children and is especially close to his twin brother David Vann, whom he calls his biggest fan. In a 2026 appearance on The Shop, he revealed that he prefers dating older women, crediting his upbringing around his grandmother, great-aunts, and great-uncles for shaping his taste in "maturity" and conversation. Beyond that, he has not publicly confirmed any relationship.
Cornell Young IV in 2026
2026 has been a landmark year for Young. The September 24 premiere of Netflix's A Different World turned him into an instant heartthrob — his swoon-worthy debut sparked "thirst tweets," memes, and fan edits across social media. With the series a global hit and Tyler Perry's Doing Life premiering on Netflix the same month, the 26-year-old has gone from college football player to one of Hollywood's fastest-rising young actors in under two years.
> Related: explore more star biographies: Jessica Biel — the actress and producer behind hit TV dramas and films. Amanda Seyfried — from teen musicals to Oscar-nominated dramatic roles.
Conclusion
Cornell Young IV's journey from a St. Louis football field to a Netflix starring role is the kind of story Hollywood loves — and at 26, he is only getting started. With A Different World a streaming hit and more projects on the way, the young actor's blend of athletic charisma and natural screen presence has made him one to watch for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How old is Cornell Young IV? A: Cornell Young IV is 26 years old. He was born on February 14, 2000, in Kirkwood, Missouri.
Q2: How tall is Cornell Young IV? A: Cornell Young IV is reported to be 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm) tall, which fits his background as a college football wide receiver.
Q3: Does Cornell Young IV have a twin? A: Yes. Cornell Young IV has a fraternal twin brother named David Vann. The pair are not identical but share a strong resemblance, and David appeared with him at the A Different World premiere.
Q4: What is Cornell Young IV's net worth? A: His net worth has not been publicly disclosed. He is still early in his acting career, which began in 2025, so no verified figure exists.
Q5: Who does Cornell Young IV play in A Different World? A: He plays Shaquille Johnson, a five-star football recruit who chooses to attend the HBCU Hillman College. Shaquille is the son of original-series character Ron Johnson (played by Darryl M. Bell).
Q6: Did Cornell Young IV play football before acting? A: Yes. He played football throughout high school (winning a Missouri state championship) and in college at Westminster College and McKendree University before pivoting to acting.
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