Burt Young, a former boxer who played Hollywood tough guys, including Paulie alongside Sylvester Stallone in the six “Rocky” films, died Oct. 8. He was 83.
Young, who received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in the original 1976 “Rocky” film, died in Los Angeles, his daughter, Anne Morea Steingieser, told The New York Times.
“Burt was an actor of tremendous emotional range. He could make you cry and he could scare you to death,” his manager, Lynda Bensky, said in a statement to USA Today. “But the real pathos that I experienced was the poignancy of his soul. That’s where it came from.”
Burt Young, who earned an Oscar nomination for his performance as Sylvester Stallone’s sidekick in “Rocky” and logged more than 160 film and television credits as a tough guy with a vulnerable streak, has died at 83. https://t.co/vo52fBOK4a
— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 19, 2023
Young played Paulie Pennino, “a beer-guzzling mug” who was Rocky Balboa’s butcher friend and the brother of the boxer’s love interest, Adrian Pennino, played by Talia Shire.
According to the Times, Young had more than 160 film and television credits. He often played a mob boss, a street-smart detective or a doleful working man.
He reprised his role of Paulie throughout the series, ending with “Rocky Balboa” in 2006, according to Rolling Stone.
Burt Young’s Paulie was turned into a cuddly caricature in the “Rocky” sequels — but in the original, Mr. Young was brilliant in his portrayal of Paulie as a grubby street character straight out of a Scorsese film. RIP good sir. pic.twitter.com/38Vn5Rk14t
— Richard Roeper (@RichardERoeper) October 19, 2023
“I made him a rough guy with a sensitivity,” Young later said of the Paulie character. “He’s really a marshmallow, even though he yells a lot.”
Young did not appear in the 2015 film “Creed,” as Paulie was supposed to have died in 2012, the Times reported.
Stallone paid tribute to Young in an Instagram post.
“To my dear friend, Burt Young, you were an incredible man’s and artist,” Stallone wrote. “I and the World will miss you very much.”
Young’s other notable credits included roles in “The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight” (1971), “Cinderella Liberty” (1973), Chinatown (1974), “The Killer Elite” (1975) and “Convoy” (1978).
Burt Young was born on April 30, 1940, in the New York City borough of Queens, the Times reported.
Burt Young was a scene stealer throughout the entire Rocky franchise, but his performance in Rocky Balboa was tremendous. Could argue it was his best performance as Paulie.
— Jonathan J. (Redacted) (@_JonathanNotJon) October 19, 2023
Rest in Peace pic.twitter.com/ubEBDyenhZ
He boxed in the Marine Corps and went on to a successful career in the pros under the tutelage of Cus D’Amato, who trained Floyd Patterson and Mike Tyson, according to the newspaper. His won-loss record was believed to be 17-1.
Young’s television credits included the 1987 comedy “Roomies,” Variety reported. He had guest spots on “Tales From the Crypt,” “Colombo,” “The Outer Limits,” “Russian Doll” and “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
Young also appeared in a 2001 episode of “The Sopranos” as the father of Bobby “Bacala” Baccalieri, Variety reported.
#RIP U.S. Marine and actor Burt Young who passed away on Oct. 8 at that age of 83. Young boxed while serving in the USMC from 1957 to 1959, winning 32 of 34 bouts. He later had a successful acting career playing tough guy roles, most notably as Paulie in the ROCKY films. pic.twitter.com/Yz96oke13a
— U.S. Naval Institute (@NavalInstitute) October 19, 2023
Young is survived by his daughter, his brother Robert, and a grandson, the Times reported. His wife, Gloria, died in 1974.
It is with great sadness I share the news of actor, Burt Young passing. He was 83. For those who don’t know he played my father in “AMITYVILLE II:The Possession.” He was a beautiful, funny, talented man, with a deep soul. He will be deeply missed. #ripburtyoung pic.twitter.com/lMhyFIkQap
— Diane Franklin (@DianeFranklin80) October 19, 2023
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