Burt Young: Oscar-nominated actor who played Paulie in the “Rocky” film franchise, dies at 83

In the “Rocky” series, Burt Young played Paulie, Sylvester Stallone’s rough-hewn, mumbling, and grumbling best friend, sidekick, and brother-in-law. He was an Oscar-nominated actor.

Young, who was born and reared in Queens, New York, served in the Marine Corps, competed professionally in boxing, and worked as a carpet layer before deciding to pursue acting and enrolling at the Actors Studio to train with renowned mentor Lee Strasberg. He frequently portrayed small-time tough guys or struggling working class individuals on stage, in films, and in television.

He portrays a fisherman in a brief but famous sequence in Jack Nicholson’s 1974 film “Chinatown,” who loses his cool when Jake Gittes, the private eye, shows him images demonstrating his wife’s infidelity. Later in life, he concentrated on painting and theater roles.

Burt Young: Oscar-nominated actor who played Paulie in the “Rocky” film franchise, dies at 83

According to his daughter Anne Morea Steingieser, Burt Young passed away on October 8 in Los Angeles. The reason wasn’t stated. He was 83. Famous movies and television productions featuring Young include “Chinatown,” “Once Upon a Time in America,” and “The Sopranos.”

He did, however, become most well-known for his roles as Paulie Pennino in the six “Rocky” movies. Young was the type of actor who, regardless of his age, always seemed to play middle-aged. He was small, paunchy, and balding.