Burt Young dies: Oscar nominee for “Rocky” was 83 years old

Burt Young, whose career as a tough guy in film earned him an Oscar nomination for his role in the boxing saga Rocky, died October 8 in Los Angeles. He was 83 years old and no cause or place was given.

His death was confirmed to the New York Times by his daughter Anne Morea Steingieser.

Young’s resume included more than 160 film and television appearances, including appearances in Chinatown And Once Upon a Time in America. A former Marine and former professional boxer, Young had a long Hollywood career.

His television appearances include roles in M*A*S*H* and he has appeared in films such as The gang that couldn’t shoot Immediately (1971) and Cinderella freedom (1973), Back to school (1986) and Last exit to Brooklyn (1989).

He also wrote and performed there Uncle Joe Shannon(1978), the story of a jazz trumpeter whose life crumbles before he finds redemption.

But it was over Rocky that his star really shone. He played Paulie, a butcher and brother of Adrian (Talia Shire), who went from a lonely introvert to Rocky’s girlfriend by the end of the show. He also introduced Rocky to the hanging beef cuts, which he trained in an unusual adaptation of a heavy bag.

Rocky received ten Academy Award nominations, including Young’s for Best Supporting Actor, and won three Oscars, including Best Picture.

Burt Young (an assumed name as an actor) was born on April 30, 1940 in Queens, NY. During his time in the Marine Corps, he took up boxing and trained under legendary manager Cus D’Amato. He had a record of 17-1.

He then arranged a meeting at a bar for a woman who wanted to meet Lee Strasbeg, the famous acting teacher. Young found the spark and studied with Strasberg for two years.

In addition to his daughter, Young is survived by a brother, Robert, and a grandson. His wife Gloria died in 1974.