Burt Young, who played Paulie in 'Rocky' films, dies at 83

Young was best known for playing the mumbling-and-grumbling best friend, corner man and and brother-in-law of Sylvester Stallone in the Rocky franchise.

Oscar‑Nominated Actor Burt Young Passes Away at 83

Actor and longtime Rocky franchise star Burt Young died in Los Angeles, the cause of death has not been disclosed.

Career Highlights

• Iconic portrayal of Paulie Pennino across six Rocky films
• Supporting roles in classics such as Chinatown and Once Upon a Time in America
• Guest appearances on television series including The Sopranos

Legacy in the Rocky Series

Young first introduced Paulie in the 1976 debut of the series. The character began as a boisterous, angry meat packer who clashed with his sister, Adrian. As the films progressed, Paulie evolved into a comic relief, often his own critique of the film’s escalating stakes. In 1985’s Rocky IV, he even stole a robot’s voice to make it a loyal companion.

Stallone paid tribute on Instagram, calling Young an “incredible man and artist” and lamenting his absence. The award committee also honored Young’s work, nominating him for Best Supporting Actor in the 1976 film.

Personal Journey

Born in Queens, New York, Young served in the Marine Corps, boxed professionally, and worked as a carpet‑layer before stepping onto the stage. He honed his craft under Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio, focusing on gritty, working‑class characters in theater, film, and television.

Final Works

In the 1974 film Chinatown, Young delivered a memorable, short scene as a fisher who confronts Jack Nicholson’s detective over his unfaithful spouse—an example of his knack for intense, grounded performances.

Sylvester Stallone, right, star of the movie “Rocky Balboa,” and cast member, Burt Young, are seen before a premiere of the film in Philadelphia, Monday, Dec. 18, 2006.
Matt Rourke/AP

Young also appeared in director Sergio Leone’s 1984 gangster epic “Once Upon a Time in America” with Robert De Niro, the 1986 comedy “Back to School” with Rodney Dangerfield, and the 1989 gritty drama “Last Exit to Brooklyn” with Jennifer Jason Leigh.
In season three of “The Sopranos” in 2001, he plays Bobby Baccalieri, Sr., an elderly mafioso with lung cancer who pulls off one last hit before a coughing fit leads to him dying in a car accident.
He also guest-starred on many other TV series including “MASH,” “Miami Vice” and “The Equalizer.”
Later in life, he focused on roles in the theatre and on painting, a lifelong pursuit that led to gallery shows and sales.

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