Burt Young

Burt Young, born as Gerald Tommaso DeLouise, was an acclaimed American actor known for his role as Rocky Balboa's brother-in-law and best friend Paulie Pennino in the Rocky film series. His impressive performance in the first installment earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. His filmography spans multiple decades and includes rich performances in movies like Chinatown, The Gambler, The Killer Elite, Convoy, Uncle Joe Shannon, Once Upon a Time in America, The Pope of Greenwich Village, A Summer to Remember, Back to School, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Mickey Blue Eyes, Transamerica, Win Win, and Bottom of the 9th. Before venturing into acting, Young served in the United States Marine Corps from 1957 to 1959, where he took up boxing, winning 32 out of 34 bouts. Apart from being an actor, Young was also a painter and a published author, with art matchless to the world's standards and original screenplays and a historical novel to his credit.

Young was born on April 30, 1940 and raised in Queens, New York City. His life took a fascinating course, from being a marine to training at the revered Actors Studio under Lee Strasberg, and then onto the silver screen. His acting prowess cleared all doubts about his versatility - from the tough brother-in-law in Rocky to mob bosses in television series. His contributions to culture were not limited to acting; his paintings have been featured globally and his writing, including the historical novel 'Endings' and two stage plays, bear testimony to his creative genius. Yet, beyond his artistic triumphs, Young was a man who faced the tragedies of life, such as the passing of his wife, Gloria, in 1974, with indomitable spirit until his death in 2023.