Mary Sean Young was born on November 20, 1959, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Donald Young Jr., a television producer and journalist, and Lee Guthrie (Mary Lee Kane), a screenwriter, public relations executive, and journalist.

She grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, with her older brother Donald Young III and her sister Cathleen Young.

Sean Young attended Cleveland Heights High School but did not graduate, instead transferring to and graduating from Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. She also studied at the School of American Ballet in New York City before working as a model and ballet dancer.

Sean Young began her film career with a role in the Merchant-Ivory film "Jane Austen in Manhattan" (1980) and followed it up with a role in the comedy hit "Stripes" (1981). Her breakthrough role came in the science fiction film "Blade Runner" (1982), where she played the character Rachael alongside Harrison Ford.

This role established her as a significant figure in the science fiction genre. She also appeared in "Dune" (1984) as Chani, the love interest of Paul Atreides.

In 1987, Sean Young starred in two major films: "No Way Out," a neo-noir thriller with Kevin Costner, and "Wall Street," directed by Oliver Stone. Her career faced challenges when she was cast as Vicki Vale in Tim Burton's "Batman" (1989) but was replaced by Kim Basinger after an accident during rehearsals.

Despite this setback, she continued to work in the industry, appearing in comedies like "Fatal Instinct" (1993) and "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" (1994).

Her personal life has seen its share of ups and downs. She was married to Robert Lujan, with whom she has two sons, Rio Kelly Lujan and Quinn Lee Lujan.

The couple divorced in 2002 but remarried in 2011. Sean Young has also been open about her struggles with alcohol abuse, appearing on "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" in 2011.