Burt Young, Beloved 'Rocky' Star, Passes Away at 83

It's been announced that Burt Young, best known for his role in the "Rocky" franchise, died on October 8 in Los Angeles. He was 83.

In a statement, Young's manager, Linda Bensky, said, "Burt was an actor of tremendous emotional range. He could make you cry and he could scare you to death. But the real pathos that I experienced was the poignancy of his soul. That's where it came from."

Young, born Gerald Tommaso DeLouise, appeared in over 160 films and TV shows, with his "Rocky" character, Paulie, becoming his most famous. It was a part given to him after Stallone met him on an MGM lot - no audition needed. He earned a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for this role at the 1977 Academy Awards.

His career began in 1969, and before his "Rocky" role, he starred in "Cinderella Liberty", "The Gambler" and "The Killer Elite", alongside James Caan, as well as going on to star in television shows such as "M*A*S*H", "Beretta", "Miami Vice", "Columbo", "The Sopranos" and "Russian Doll".

Young is survived by his daughter, a brother, and a grandson, reports the Times. His wife Gloria died in 1974.

Sylvester Stallone took to Instagram to post a photo of the duo from the set of "Rocky", and wrote, "To my Dear Friend, BURT YOUNG, you were an incredible man and artist, I and the World will miss you very much...RIP." 

Young is survived by his daughter, Anne Morea Steingieser, as well as a brother, Robert, and a grandson. His wife, Gloria, died in 1974.