Get to Know ‘A Different World’s Cornell Young IV: All About Revival Series Stud
Meet your new Hillman College crush! A Different World returns as the next generation of students finds their way and figures out their future in the Netflix sequel series. One newcomer is Cornell Young IV, who plays Shaquille Johnson, the son of original character Ron Johnson (Darryl M. Bell).
Everyone will be talking about A Different World, especially the 26-year-old breakout hunk playing the hotshot football player making a play for Deborah’s (Maleah Joi Moon) heart. Get to know the standout Cornell Young IV, including where he’s from, his past roles, and more.
Where is Cornell Young IV from?
Young IV was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He has four sisters and told Netflix he had a “beautiful upbringing.”
Did Cornell Young IV play football?
The actor shares this key similarity with his character. Young IV was a running back, wide receiver, and cornerback in high school. He played on the Kirkwood High School football team that won the Missouri Class 6A State Championship. He then went on to play football at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri.
Marcus Ingram / Getty Images for Netflix
The pressures of being an athlete and living up to his father’s expectations are central to Shaquille’s Season 1 arc. “We see, at times, how that can have a hold on him,” Young told Teen Vogue, noting that how his character “acts in certain relationships and situations [is] due to [his] lack of understanding of his own feelings.”
What has Cornell Young IV been in before?
Young IV is fairly new to the acting world, but he’s appeared in some notable shows in just a short amount of time. He made his TV debut in 2025 on Beyond the Gates. That same year, he also played Todd in two episodes of Netflix’s Forever.
A Different World marks his first series regular role, and Young IV is not slowing down. After Season 1 drops, you can catch Young IV in another Netflix project: Tyler Perry‘s Doing Life, which will be released on October 2.
Is Cornell Young IV dating anyone?
The rising star is keeping his relationship status on the down-low for now. Young IV hasn’t publicly revealed whether he’s dating anyone right now.
A Different World, Season 1, September 24, Netflix
