Hollywood Mourns the Death of Beloved 'Rocky' Actor Burt Young
Beloved actor Burt Young, who was known for playing complex, deep-hearted men, has died at 83. The Rocky star's cause of death is unknown, though his daughter, Anne Morea Steingieser, confirmed that he died on October 8.
Over the course of his career, Young appeared in 160 films and television series. His journey to stardom was far from ordinary. Born on April 30, 1940, Young grew up as a gritty kid in Corona, Queens. To soften his demeanor, his father sent him to Bryant High School in Astoria. When that didn’t work out, he enlisted in the Marines at just 16 years old. While there, Young learned how to box—a skill that would leave a lasting impact on his career as an actor.
Years later, in his twenties, Young pursued acting. In his early days, he sought the help of Lee Strasberg, an acting coach whom he credits with fostering his love for performing. “Acting had everything I was fishing for,” Young said in an interview with Bright Lights. “In my life till then, I’d used tension to hold myself upright. Lee’s great gift to me was relaxation.”
Throughout his career, Young appeared plethora of projects, often as a mob boss, detective, or member of the working class. Some of his most noteworthy credits include M*A*S*H, The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight, Cinderella Liberty, and Chinatown. Though he’d been working for years, Young’s career took off when he landed a role in Silvester Stallone’s boxing saga, Rocky. In the film, Young stars as Paulie, a hot-headed butcher with a heart of gold. “I made him a tough guy with sensitivity,” Young said, per The New York Times. “He’s really a marshmallow, even though he yells a lot. Youngs' portrayal of Paulie earned him an Oscar Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 1977.
In the wake of Young’s death, friends and fans of the actor are celebrating his life and legacy. You can read the tributes below.
RIP, Burt Young! A beautiful and talented soul. He was such an integral part of the Rocky family. “You want the bird? Go get the bird.” Paulie will be with us forever! #BePeace
— Carl Weathers (@TheCarlWeathers) October 19, 2023
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
Rest In Peace to Burt Young. He will always be the unsung hero for me of the ROCKY Franchise pic.twitter.com/21us9xtW3m
— MILLER ?????? (@MrMiller007_) October 19, 2023
Rest In Peace Burt Young. What a great actor and a sweetheart of a man. My deepest condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/X4I1Gnk3YE
— Maureen McCormick (@MoMcCormick7) October 19, 2023
My favorite Paulie moment came in Rocky IV. Burt Young really sold the sincerity of a man who doesn't normally express his emotions trying to tell his best friend that he loves him in this scene. RIP https://t.co/RvzBE0CofG pic.twitter.com/mA448HJPcv
— I saw Elon Musk fellate a dog once (@DStapf63) October 19, 2023
Burt Young - known for his role as Paulie pennino in the Rocky franchise - has passed away at the age of 83 earlier this month on October 8 in Los Angeles. #fyp #burtyoung #rocky #rocky4 #pauliepennino #la#Survivor45 RINOs Arrest "Happy Friday Eve" Floe #thursdaymorning Stewie pic.twitter.com/3zeTdPLtSt
— I.I.S ?? (@Esureforyou) October 19, 2023
RIP, Gerald Tommaso DeLouise better known professionally as Burt Young.
"Once Upon A Time In America"(1984).
As Joe Minaldi in "Cock Insurance' scene.
"Life is funnier than shit. But... be easy with the girl. I mean that. Be easy with the girl." pic.twitter.com/JqmViNuTwi— Boston Radio Watch?? (@bostonradio) October 19, 2023
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
This scene alone earned Burt Young an Oscar nomination for Rocky. #RIP#Rocky #BurtYoung #RIPBurtYoung pic.twitter.com/Pai3ORAo5w
— MOVIEDEATHS (@MOVIEDEATHBLOWS) October 19, 2023
RIP Burt Young who made a memorable appearances on M*A*S*H in Season 2, Episode 7: L.I.P. (Local Indigenous Personnel). #ClassicMASH pic.twitter.com/9CsvtFnqfN
— Classic MASH ?? (@ClassicMASH) October 19, 2023
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