Burt Young, Iconic Rocky Actor, Passes Away at 83

 

Burt Young, Iconic Rocky Actor, Passes Away at 83

Burt Young, the beloved actor famous for his portrayal of Paulie Pennino in the legendary Rocky movie series, has sadly left us at the age of 83.

In 1977, Young received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his remarkable performance as the loyal friend and future brother-in-law of the iconic boxer Rocky, portrayed by Sylvester Stallone. Stallone paid a heartfelt tribute to Young via social media, describing him as an "incredible man and artist" and expressing that both he and the world would dearly miss him.

Born as Gerald Tommaso DeLouise in Queens, New York, Young's journey began in the US Marine Corps during the 1950s. He later ventured into the world of acting, carving out a remarkable career as a versatile actor renowned for his portrayals of tough guys in both television shows and films.

Variety's Carmel Dagan remembered him as an "exceptionally prolific" actor, noting that Young had an unparalleled ability to imbue even the roughest characters with depth and sympathy, far beyond what their roles typically warranted.

Young's breakthrough came with his appearance in the original Rocky film in 1976, playing a close friend of Sylvester Stallone's character. He continued to captivate audiences as Rocky's brother-in-law in the sequel, Rocky II, when the boxer married his sister.

Paulie Pennino became his signature role, featured in all six of the original Rocky films. However, Young did not reprise his role in the 2015 spin-off film, Creed. The Rocky franchise remains one of the most iconic and successful in cinematic history, receiving 10 Oscar nominations and three awards, including Best Picture.

In addition to his Rocky fame, Burt Young also graced the screen in other notable films such as Once Upon a Time in America, Last Exit to Brooklyn, and Mickey Blue Eyes. His presence extended to television, where he featured in acclaimed series like The Sopranos, Law & Order, The Rockford Files, and M*A*S*H.

Beyond his acting career, Young explored his talents as a painter and exhibited his artwork in galleries around the world.

On Wednesday, Burt Young's manager confirmed his passing, leaving a void in the world of entertainment that will be deeply felt.