Burt Young, Oscar-Nominated 'Rocky' Actor, Dies at 83
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Burt Young, the actor best known for his Academy Award-nominated role in Rocky, has died. He was 83.
His daughter, Anne Morea Steingieser, told The New York Times on Wednesday, Oct. 18, that her father passed away in Los Angeles 10 days prior, on Oct. 8.
His Rocky costar Sylvester Stallone paid tribute with an Instagram post, writing, "To my Dear Friend, BURT YOUNG, you were an incredible man’s and artist, I and the World will miss you very much...RIP."
Young was born Gerald Tommaso DeLouise on April 30, 1940 in Queens, New York. Before becoming an actor, he served in the US Marines from 1957 until 1959 and competed as a boxer during his duty. Years later, in the 1960s, he received acting training from renowned acting teacher Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio.
The career that turned him into a star was a fluke; unhappy in his first marriage, Young was enamored with a young woman who aspired to be an actress but was unable to study under Strasberg. To impress her, he wrote to the famed teacher but instead earned a spot in the coveted class.
Before adopting the stage name of Burt Young, the actor briefly went by the moniker John Harris, which he used in his debuting role in the film Carnival of Blood. He went on to have roles in major movies and TV shows, including Chinatown, The Gambler, M*A*S*H, and Baretta.
He received his breakout role in 1976, starring as the titular character's sidekick Paulie Pennino in Rocky. A year later, he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for the iconic film. Young reprised his character for the various sequels.
The late actor continued working until his passing, with various projects expected to arrive soon, including the film Way of the Warriors.
A cause of death has not yet been disclosed. Young is survived by his daughter and a grandson.
