Burt Young, the Academy Award-nominated actor known for his timeless role as Paulie in the "Rocky" film franchise, has died at 83, his manager confirmed to ABC News.
"Burt was an actor of tremendous emotional range. He could make you cry and he could scare you to death. But the real pathos that I experienced was the poignancy of his soul. That’s where it came from,” his manager, Lynda Bensky, said of the veteran actor in a statement.
Young died earlier this month in Los Angeles, according to the New York Times, which first reported the news.
Young had a lengthy Hollywood career that spanned six decades.
Young’s temperamental, jealous but nonetheless loyal and caring Paulie Pennino was Rocky’s best friend — he would defend the Italian Stallion if someone insulted him. But he was a problematic friend who shouts at Adrian during her pregnancy, resulting in the premature birth of Rocky’s son; draws Balboa into a street fight; and in 1990’s “Rocky V,” is the cause of the Balboas’ bankruptcy.
In 2006’s “Rocky Balboa,” Paulie is back where he started, working at the meat-packing plant, but he’s laid off and loses his skepticism about Rocky’s return to the ring and serves as his cornerman. Young did not appear in 2015’s “Creed,” as Paulie is said to have died in 2012.
The exceptionally prolific Young — who was never much to look at, making him the perfect character actor — had a way of taking a thug or a goon or a mug and giving him more personality, more sympathy, somehow, than the role deserved.
The actor, who was also briefly a professional boxer before he studied acting under Lee Strasberg, started his film and television career in 1969. Before Rocky, he starred alongside James Caan in Cinderella Liberty, The Gambler and The Killer Elite. Outside of the Rocky movies, Young also starred in Once Upon a Time in America and episodes of M*A*S*H, Beretta, Miami Vice, Columbo, Theand Russian Doll.
“For different reasons there are different movies that I like,” Young told Media Mikes in 2011 when asked about his favorite movie to make. “Location is always a factor as well as the individuals involved. The creativity of the script is important along with the depth of the character and how far I am allowed to take that character. I really liked some of the work that I have written. I of course love the first Rocky film. I also enjoyed some of the episodes from way back of Baretta that won Emmys and helped get that show renewed.”
In a striking appearance 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 guest-starred in many other TV series including "M*A*S*H," "Miami Vice" and "The Equalizer."
Later in life he focused on roles in theater and on painting, a lifelong pursuit that led to gallery shows and sales.
His wife of 13 years, Gloria, died in 1974.
Along with his daughter, Young is survived by one grandchild and a brother, Robert.
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