You may not recognize the name, but you’ll recognize the face. Let’s be honest: a Burt Young movie marathon is a day well spent. He appeared in more than 160 roles in 50 years in Hollywood, acting alongside the silver screen’s most recognizable names: Jack Nicholson, Robert De Niro, and, of course, Sylvester Stallone.
His credits include “Chinatown,” “The Killer Elite” and “Once Upon a Time in America,” along with his turn as Paulie in the 1976 film “Rocky.” He continued in the role through all of the “Rocky” sequels, but it was his performance in the first film that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
The Unlikely Journey from Queens Hoodlum to Hollywood Star
Burt Young, born Gerald Tommaso DeLouise on April 30, 1940, in Queens, New York, USA, grew up in a family where his father wore many hats—a sheet metal worker, an iceman, and eventually a high school shop teacher and dean. He has Italian-American heritage, which added authenticity to his portrayal of the Italian-American character Paulie in the “Rocky” films.
Unlike many other famous faces in Hollywood, Burt Young never thought about being an actor at a young age. He (and his father) always referred to himself as a king of hoodlum. His parents tried to keep their son from growing up on the streets of Queens, New York, by sending him to an exclusive high school and a private boarding school. But it was no use. He was kicked out of both.
Burt Young: Marine Corps, Boxing Ring, and Beyond
Burt Young’s early years he was indeed involved in military service. At the age of 16, he and his father went to the Marine Corps recruiter’s office, where they both lied about his age to enlist. Young joined the Marine Corps and served between 1957 and 1959. During his time in the Corps, he discovered boxing and started training and fighting his fellow Marines. Notably, he had a successful boxing record of 32-2.
After completing his military service, Young pursued a professional boxing career. He trained with Charley Goldman, a renowned boxing figure who also coached heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano. His manager was Cus D’Amato, known for working with fighters like Floyd Patterson and Mike Tyson. Young’s boxing career flourished with a record of 17 wins and zero losses. However, after this successful stint, he decided to transition to something else, eventually finding his way into acting.
This early background in the Marine Corps and professional boxing laid the foundation for Burt Young’s later success in the entertainment industry.
Burt Young’s Unexpected Leap into Acting
After his boxing career, Burt Young ventured into the carpet business, running his own company with a few employees. Although it provided a decent living, he found himself uninspired by the routine. His life took a turn when he tried to pursue a connection with a waitress at a local bar. During their conversation, he discovered her dream of becoming an actress and studying under the legendary acting teacher Lee Strasberg.
Often hailed as “the father of method acting,” Lee Strasberg stood as one of the most distinguished talents in American acting. Transitioning from an accomplished actor to a renowned acting teacher, he assumed the director role at the Actors Studio in New York. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Actors Studio West in Los Angeles.
Although initially unfamiliar with Lee Strasberg, Young was determined to help the waitress achieve her aspirations. He wrote a letter to Strasberg, expressing his intentions, and the two eventually met.
In a fateful encounter, Strasberg approached Young, expressing, “I feel you are an emotional library. Will you work with me?” This profound invitation from the esteemed acting coach resonated with Young, inspiring him to take his aspirations as an actor seriously. Embracing Strasberg’s commitment, Young dedicated two years to working with the influential acting teacher.
From Boxer to Blockbuster: Burt Young’s Cinematic Journey Through the 70s
By 1971, Burt Young made his appearance on the big screen in “Born to Win” alongside George Segal and Robert De Niro. His acting career continued to flourish with roles in films like “Across 110th Street” (1972) with Anthony Quinn, “Chinatown” (1974), and “The Killer Elite” (1975) alongside James Caan and Robert Duvall.
It was in 1976 that Young’s career took a significant turn when he impressed a young writer and actor, Sylvester Stallone, who was casting for a film about a hard-luck boxer. Stallone approached Young and asked him to play the role of “Paulie” in his movie “Rocky.” Young was captivated by the script and immediately agreed, referring to it as “a masterpiece of simplicity.”
Despite the eventual stardom that “Rocky” brought to Stallone, who also penned the screenplay, Young often asserted that he was the more established name in Hollywood before the project commenced. In a 2017 interview with The Rumpus, he mentioned, “I was the only actor that didn’t audition in the first ‘Rocky,’ and I got the most money for it.”
Young recalled his initial encounter with Stallone in a studio commissary, where Stallone, kneeling, introduced himself as the writer of “Rocky” and implored Young to take on the role. Describing the moment, Young said, “He’s trying to twist my arm.”
The film, directed by John G. Avildsen, was a gritty and often somber human drama, distinct from its later, sometimes cartoonish sequels, most of which were directed by Stallone and featured Young. Reflecting on the first movie in a 2006 interview with Bright Lights Film Journal, Young remarked, “It really wasn’t a fighting story, it was a love story, about someone standing up. Not even winning, just standing up.”
“It was a great ride, and it brought me to the audience in a great way,” Young said in a 2020 interview with Celebrity Parents magazine. “I made him a rough guy with a sensitivity. He’s really a marshmallow even though he yells a lot.”
In addition to his success on the big screen, Burt Young also made appearances in various television shows, including “MAS*H,” “The Rockford Files,” and “Miami Vice.” His versatile acting career established him as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
Burt Young’s Oscar Nomination and Real-Life Boxing Tactics in the ‘Rocky’ Legacy”
Burt Young’s notable contributions to the “Rocky” film series extended over the first six movies. Notably, he held the distinction of being the highest-paid actor in the inaugural film. His portrayal of Paulie Pennino in “Rocky” garnered him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, marking a significant accolade in his career. The film secured three Oscars, including best picture.
Interestingly, some of the training methods that Young employed during his boxing days were incorporated into the original “Rocky” film. It’s a testament to the authenticity and dedication he brought to his role. However, it’s worth noting that while the movie features various realistic training scenes, the famous meat locker scene was not one of the methods Young used during his boxing career.
Burt Young died at his home in Los Angeles on Oct. 8, 2023, at age 83.
Read About Other Celebrities Who Served
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