Tony Burton, 'Rocky' Actor, Dies at 78
Tony Burton and Sylvester Stallone (Getty Images)
Tony Burton, actor from the Rocky franchise, died on Thursday at the age of 78, according to Michigan news website MLive.
Burton, a Flint, Mich. native, was best known for playing Apollo Creed’s trainer Duke in the films. He won Flint Golden Gloves light heavyweight titles in 1955 and again in 1957, before fighting professionally briefly. He went on to start his acting career, which included roles in The Shining and Stir Crazy.
His sister, Loretta Kelley, told MLive that Burton had been in and out of the hospital lately, but hadn’t gotten a diagnosis. She added that because of his health, Burton was never able to see the latest Rocky film, Creed.
Fellow Rocky actor Carl Weathers, who played Apollo Creed, tweeted about Burton on Thursday evening.
@E_Woodyard @TheSlyStallone Sad news. RIP Tony Burton. His intensity and talent helped make the Rocky movies successful. #BePeace
— Carl Weathers (@TheCarlWeathers) February 26, 2016
Watch a scene with Burton in ‘Rocky IV:’
