Young developed a legion of fans for his portrayal of the whiny, tough-talking, boozing New York meatpacker, best friend and ultimately cornerman to Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa in the hit film franchise.
Burt Young, the actor who portrayed Paulie Pennino in the first six “Rocky” films, has died, according to several media reports late Wednesday. He was 83.
According to the New York Times, Young’s daughter Anne Morea Steingieser confirmed the actor died Oct. 8. The cause of death has not been revealed.
Young developed a legion of fans for his portrayal of Paulie, the whiny, tough-talking, boozing New York meatpacker, best friend and ultimately cornerman to Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa in the hit film franchise. The character was also brother to Rocky’s shy girlfriend and later wife, Adrian, played by Talia Shire.
