Burt Young, the Oscar-nominated actor who portrayed Paulie, Sylvester Stallone’s best friend, corner-man, and brother-in-law in the “Rocky” film series, has passed away.
Young’s daughter, Anne Morea Steingieser, confirmed his death on October 8 in Los Angeles. The cause of death has not been disclosed. He was 83 years old.
Young had a remarkable career, appearing in acclaimed films such as “Chinatown,” “Once Upon a Time in America,” and “The Sopranos.”
However, he was best known for his portrayal of Paulie Pennino in the “Rocky” movies. Young, with his signature short, paunchy, balding appearance, always seemed to play older characters.
Transformation of “Paulie”
In the first “Rocky” film from 1976, Paulie is depicted as an angry, foul-mouthed meat packer who mistreats his sister Adrian (Talia Shire). His character evolves as the films progress, becoming a source of comic relief.
“Rocky” was a tremendous success, earning 10 Oscar nominations, including a nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Young. Although he didn’t win the award, the film received three Oscars, including Best Picture.
As the sequels continued, Young’s Paulie underwent a transformation, becoming a more light-hearted character. In “Rocky IV,” released in 1985, Paulie reprograms a robot given to him by Rocky to serve as a companion.
Paulie’s trademark pessimism and comedic reactions to Rocky’s unexpected triumphs brought laughter to audiences. Young himself described the role as a rough character with a sensitive side, stating, “He’s really a marshmallow even though he yells a lot.”
A Diversified Career
Young, who was born and raised in Queens, New York, had diverse experiences before entering the world of acting. He served in the Marine Corps, pursued a career as a professional boxer, and worked as a carpet layer. Eventually, he studied acting under the legendary Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio.
Throughout his career, Young often portrayed tough, blue-collar characters. He appeared in notable films such as “Chinatown” (1974), “Once Upon a Time in America” (1984), “Back to School” (1986), and “Last Exit to Brooklyn” (1989).
In a memorable role on the television series “The Sopranos” in 2001, Young played an elderly mobster with lung cancer. He made guest appearances on numerous other shows including “M*A*S*H,” “Miami Vice,” and “The Equalizer.”
In addition to his acting pursuits, Young also focused on painting, a passion he pursued throughout his life. His artwork was featured in gallery shows and sold to collectors.
Young’s first wife, Gloria, passed away in 1974. He is survived by his daughter, grandchild, and brother Robert.
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