At age 83, actor Burt Young has away. He was most remembered for his role as Paulie Pennino in the Rocky movies.
In 1977, Young was nominated for an Oscar for best supporting actor for his performance as Rocky’s buddy and prospective spouse, played by Sylvester Stallone.
Young received praise from Stallone on social media, who called him a “incredible man and artist.”
He concluded by saying: “I and the world will miss you very much.”
The Italian-American, Gerald Tommaso DeLouise, who was born in Queens, New York, served in the US Marine Corps in the 1950s before pursuing acting studies and a career as a tough man in TV and film.
Carmel Dagan of Variety described the actor as “exceptionally prolific”.
He wasn’t particularly eye-catching, but that’s what made him the perfect character actor. He had a talent for giving characters with unanticipated depth and humanity by changing them from tough guys, goons, or mugs, according to Dagan.
Young portrayed the friend of Stallone’s character in the 1976 original Rocky film. In Rocky II, he eventually changed into Rocky’s brother-in-law after the latter wed his sister.
He appeared as Paulie in all six of the original Rocky movies, although he was absent from the 2015 spin-off Creed.
His most well-known piece, Rocky, was a major box office success that garnered 10 Oscar nominations and three wins overall, including best picture.
Additionally, Young starred in Mickey Blue Eyes, Last Exit to Brooklyn, and Once Upon a Time in America.
He appeared in shows like The Rockford Files, The Sopranos, Law & Order, and M*A*S*H.
Back to School (1986) and Last Exit to Brooklyn (1989) are two further movies with credits.
Young recalled how Stallone had pleaded with him to take on the job of Paulie, which he had not auditioned for, in a 2017 interview with The Rumpus, even though Rocky would go on to become his breakthrough role.
He said that he was the only actor who didn’t try out for the first “Rocky.” “And I made the biggest profit for it,”
Young continued by remembering how Stallone “knelt down next to me” and pleaded with him to take the role. He was attempting to twist my arm, the actor recalled.
After retiring from acting, Young established himself as a painter and displayed his work in galleries all over the world.
On Wednesday, his management provided confirmation of his passing.