Burt Young, the veteran character actor renowned for his Oscar-nominated portrayal as Sylvester Stallone's brother-in-law and meat-cutting comrade in the "Rocky" series, passed away at the age of 83, as announced by his manager on October 18.
The news of Young's passing, which occurred on October 8 in Los Angeles, was initially reported by the New York Times, citing the actor's daughter, Anne Morea Steingieser. His manager, Lynda Bensky, based in Los Angeles, later confirmed the news to Reuters. Burt Young, originally named Gerald Tommaso DeLouise, was born in Queens, New York, and had a robust career, primarily portraying tough-guy and Italian-American characters in television and film.
His most iconic role was in the original 1976 film "Rocky," where he played the character of Paulie Pennino, the alcoholic butcher and friend to Rocky Balboa, portrayed by Sylvester Stallone. Paulie's memorable scenes included his involvement in Balboa's training, which incorporated punching slabs of meat in a storage locker. Young's performance as Paulie earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Notably, the original "Rocky" garnered 10 Oscar nominations and won three awards, including Best Picture.
Burt Young reprised his role as Paulie in all six of the original "Rocky" sequels. His filmography also encompassed titles like "Chinatown," "The Pope of Greenwich Village," and "Once Upon a Time in America." He made numerous guest appearances on television shows such as "MAS*H," "The Rockford Files," "Baretta," and "Law & Order."
In his later years, Young gained recognition as a painter, with his artwork displayed in galleries worldwide.
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