# Burt Young

Gerald Tommaso DeLouise (April 30, 1940 – October 8, 2023), known professionally as Burt Young, was an American actor. He played Rocky Balboa's brother-in-law and best friend Paulie Pennino in the Rocky film series, his performance in the first installment of which earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Young also appeared in such films as Chinatown (1974), The Gambler (1974), The Killer Elite (1975), Convoy (1978), Uncle Joe Shannon (1978), Once Upon a Time in America (1984), The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984), A Summer to Remember (1985), Back to School (1986), Last Exit to Brooklyn (1990), Mickey Blue Eyes (1999), Transamerica (2005), Win Win (2011), and Bottom of the 9th (2019).

## Early life

Young was born on April 30, 1940, in Queens, New York City, and raised in the Queens neighborhood of Corona, the son of Josephine and Michael DeLouise, a high school shop teacher. He was of Italian descent.
Young was trained by Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio.

## Career
### Military service

Young served a tour of duty in the United States Marine Corps from 1957 to 1959; while in the Marine Corps, he boxed regularly, winning 32 of 34 boxing bouts.

### Acting

Young made his name playing rough-edged working class Italian-American characters, the best-known example being his signature role as Rocky Balboa's friend (and future brother-in-law) Paulie in Rocky (1976), for which he received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He is one of four actors (the other three being Sylvester Stallone, Stu Nahan, and Tony Burton) who have appeared in all of the first six Rocky films (although Talia Shire, who appears in the first five films, makes a flashback appearance in the sixth). Young did not reprise his role in the 2015 film Creed; the character was described as having died in 2012.
Young appeared in such films as Chinatown, Convoy, Back to School, The Pope of Greenwich Village, Once Upon a Time in America, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Downtown: A Street Tale, and Amityville II: The Possession.
Television appearances for Young included The Rockford Files, Baretta, Law & Order, Walker, Texas Ranger, All in the Family, M*A*S*H, and Miami Vice. He made an appearance on The Sopranos ("Another Toothpick") as Bobby Baccalieri's father, who is dying of cancer and comes out of retirement to execute a hit on his godson, "Mustang Sally" Intile, as punishment for Intile having brutally beaten a family friend simply for chatting with Intile's girlfriend.
In a nod to his having served in the U.S. Marine Corps, he played a retired drill instructor in the short-lived 1987 ABC series, Roomies, where his character decides to go to college after his retirement.
In 2017, Burt Young returned to the stage as an aged mob boss in The Last Vig, a play written by Dave Varriale. The show ran from January 14 to February 19, 2017, at The Zephyr Theatre in Los Angeles.

### Painting and writing

Young was also a painter; his art has been displayed in galleries throughout the world. As an artist, he collaborated with the writer Gabriele Tinti, for whom he designed the cover for the poetry collection All Over, as well as contributing the illustrations for the art book A Man. Some of Young's actual paintings were shown in a scene in Rocky Balboa when Paulie gets fired from the meatpacking plant.
Young was also a published author whose works included two filmed screenplays and a 400-page historical novel called Endings. He wrote two stage plays: SOS and A Letter to Alicia and the New York City Government from a Man With a Bullet in His Head.

## Personal life

Young's wife, Gloria, died in 1974. He had a daughter and a grandson. He resided in Port Washington, New York.
Young owned a restaurant in the Bronx, New York. He participated in the 1984 New York City Marathon.

## Death

Young died at Northridge Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles, on October 8, 2023, at the age of 83. The immediate cause of death was ruled as cardiac arrest with contributing factors listed as myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, and atherosclerosis. He was buried at Mount St. Mary Cemetery in Flushing, Queens.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1970 | Carnival of Blood | Gimpy | Credited as John Harris |
| 1971 | Born to Win | First Hood | |
| 1971 | The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight | Willie Quarequlo | |
| 1972 | Across 110th Street | Lapides | |
| 1973 | Cinderella Liberty | Master At Arms | |
| 1974 | Chinatown | Curly | |
| 1974 | The Gambler | Carmine | |
| 1975 | The Killer Elite | Mac | |
| 1975 | Live A Little, Steal A Lot | Sergeant Bernasconi | |
| 1976 | Harry and Walter Go to New York | Warden Durgom | |
| 1976 | Rocky | Paulie Pennino | Nominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 1977 | The Choirboys | Scuzzi | |
| 1977 | Twilight's Last Gleaming | Augie Garvas | |
| 1978 | Convoy | Bobby 'Love Machine' Pig Pen | |
| 1978 | Uncle Joe Shannon | Joe Shannon | Also the writer of this film |
| 1979 | Rocky II | Paulie Pennino | |
| 1981 | Blood Beach | Sergeant Royko | |
| 1981 | ...All the Marbles | Eddie Cisco | |
| 1982 | Rocky III | Paulie Pennino | |
| 1982 | Amityville II: The Possession | Anthony Montelli | |
| 1982 | Lookin' to Get Out | Jerry Feldman | |
| 1984 | Over the Brooklyn Bridge | Phil | |
| 1984 | Once Upon a Time in America | Joe Minaldi | |
| 1984 | The Pope of Greenwich Village | Eddie 'Bed Bug Eddie' Grant | |
| 1985 | Rocky IV | Paulie Pennino | |
| 1985 | A Summer to Remember | Fidel Fargo | |
| 1986 | Back to School | Lou | |
| 1989 | Going Overboard | General Noriega | |
| 1989 | Blood Red | Andrews | |
| 1989 | Beverly Hills Brats | Clive | |
| 1990 | Last Exit to Brooklyn | Joe 'Big Joe' | |
| 1990 | Betsy's Wedding | Georgie | |
| 1990 | Wait Until Spring, Bandini | Rocco Saccone | |
| 1990 | Club Fed | Warden Boyle | |
| 1990 | Diving In | Coach Mack | |
| 1990 | Backstreet Dreams | Luca | |
| 1990 | Rocky V | Paulie Pennino | |
| 1991 | Bright Angel | Art | |
| 1991 | Red American | George Maniago | |
| 1992 | Circle of Fear | Mancini | |
| 1992 | Cattive ragazze | Unknown | |
| 1993 | Excessive Force | Sal DiMarco | |
| 1995 | Opposite Corners | Unknown | Direct-to-video |
| 1996 | The Mouse | Himself | |
| 1996 | North Star | Reno | Direct-to-video |
| 1997 | She's So Lovely | Lorenzo | |
| 1997 | Kicked in the Head | Jack | |
| 1997 | The Deli | J.C. | |
| 1997 | Heaven Before I Die | Pollof | Direct-to-video |
| 1997 | The Good Life | Jimmy | Never released |
| 1997 | Red-Blooded American Girl II | Roy Falk | Direct-to-video |
| 1997 | The Undertaker's Wedding | Alberto | Direct-to-video |
| 1999 | Mickey Blue Eyes | Vito Graziosi | |
| 1999 | Loser Love | Sydney Delacroix | |
| 2000 | The Florentine | Joe McCollough | |
| 2000 | Very Mean Men | Dominic Piazza | |
| 2000 | Blue Moon | Bobby | |
| 2000 | Table One | Frankie Chips | Direct-to-video |
| 2002 | The Adventures of Pluto Nash | Gino | |
| 2002 | Checkout | Uncle Louie | |
| 2002 | 2 Birds 1 Stallone | Himself | |
| 2002 | Kiss the Bride | Santo Sposato | |
| 2003 | Crooked Line | Mike Ameche | |
| 2004 | The Wager | Jack Stockman | |
| 2004 | Los Angeles Plays Itself | Curly In Chinatown | Uncredited, archive footage |
| 2005 | Land of Plenty | Sherman | |
| 2005 | Carlito's Way: Rise to Power | Artie Bottolota Sr. | Direct-to-video |
| 2005 | Shut Up and Kiss Me | Vincent Bublioni | |
| 2005 | Hubert Selby Jr: It/ll Be Better Tomorrow | Actor | Uncredited, archive footage |
| 2005 | Transamerica | Murray | |
| 2006 | RevoLOUtion: The Transformation of Lou Benedetti | Himself | |
| 2006 | Nicky's Game | Leo Singer | Short film |
| 2006 | Rocky Balboa | Paulie Pennino | |
| 2006 | In The Ring | Himself | Video documentary |
| 2006 | Tribute to Burgess Meredith | Himself (voice) | Video documentary short |
| 2007 | Blue Lake Massacre | Pops | |
| 2007 | Downtown: A Street Tale | Gus | |
| 2007 | The 21st Annual Genesis Awards | Himself | Video |
| 2007 | Skill vs. Will: The Making of 'Rocky Balboa' | Himself | Video documentary short |
| 2007 | Go Go Tales | Murray | |
| 2007 | Oliviero Rising | Santino | |
| 2007 | The Hideout | Mueller | |
| 2007 | Hack! | J.T. Bates | Direct-to-video |
| 2008 | Carnera: The Walking Mountain | Lou Serosi | |
| 2008 | Rocky Jumped a Park Bench | Himself | Documentary short, archive footage |
| 2009 | New York, I Love You | Landlord | |
| 2010 | Kingshighway | Mario Capriolini | |
| 2011 | Win Win | Leo Poplar | |
| 2012 | Casting By | Himself | Documentary |
| 2013 | See You Tomorrow | Mario Palagonia | |
| 2013 | All Over | Himself - Host | Video short |
| 2014 | Tom in America | Michael | Short film |
| 2014 | Zarra's Law | Paul Canto | |
| 2014 | Rob the Mob | Joey D. | |
| 2015 | The Elevator: Three Minutes Can Change Your Life | George | |
| 2015 | Lostland | Actor | Short film |
| 2015 | Irene & Marie | John | Short film |
| 2015 | Fall 4 You | Dominick | Short film |
| 2016 | The Dicks | Ed | Short film |
| 2017 | The Neighborhood | 'Jingles' | |
| 2017 | King Rat | Art Stillman | |
| 2017 | John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs | Himself | Documentary |
| 2018 | The Selfish Ones | Father John (voice) | Short film |
| 2018 | 6 Grandchildren And One Grandfather | Grandfather |
| 2018 | Sarah Q | Grandpa | |
| 2018 | The Amityville Murders | Brigante | |
| 2018 | Road to the Lemon Grove | Zio Vincenzo | |
| 2019 | The Brawler | Salvatore | |
| 2019 | Bottom of the 9th | Scaleri | |
| 2019 | Vault | Don Ruggiero | |
| 2019 | Tapestry | Ian | |
| 2019 | Smothered by Mothers | Ivan | |
| 2020 | 40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic | Himself - Paulie Pennino | Documentary short, archive audio |
| 2020 | Beckman | Salvatore | |
| 2021 | Stallone: Frank, That Is | Himself | Documentary |
| 2021 | Charlie Boy | Luca | |
| 2021 | The Final Code | Detective | |
| TBA | Way of the Warriors | George Stevens | In production |
| TBA | Asleep at the Wheel | Judge | In production |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1969 | The Doctors | Bartender | Episode #1785 10/10/1969 |
| 1973 | The Connection | Ernie | Television film |
| 1973 | M*A*S*H | Lieutenant Willis | Episode: "L.I.P. (Local Indigenous Personnel)" |
| 1974 | The Great Niagara | Ace Tully | Television film |
| 1975 | Hustling | Gustavino | Television film |
| 1976 | The Rockford Files | Stuart Gaily | Episode: "The Family Hour" |
| 1975–1976 | Baretta | Willy Solomon Johnny Checco | Episodes: "Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow" "The Big Hand's on Trouble" (Also the writer of this episode) "Soldier in the Jungle" |
| 1976 | Serpico | Alec Rosen | Episode: "The Deadly Game" |
| 1976 | Woman of the Year | Ralph Rodino | Television film |
| 1977 | Good Morning America | Himself – Guest | Episode: "17 March 1977" |
| 1977 | The 49th Annual Academy Awards | Himself – Nominee | Television special |
| 1978 | Daddy, I Don't Like It Like This | Rocco Agnelli | Television film, Also the writer of this film |
| 1979–1980 | The Mike Douglas Show | Himself – Guest | 2 episodes |
| 1980 | The 6th People's Choice Awards | Himself – Accepting Favourite Motion Picture Award | Television special |
| 1980 | Murder Can Hurt You | Lt. Palumbo | Television film |
| 1983 | You and Me Kid | Actor | Television series |
| 1984 | Miami Vice | Lupo Ramirez | Episode: "Give a Little, Take a Little" |
| 1985 | Airwolf | | Episode: "Prisoner Of Yesterday" |
| 1985 | A Summer to Remember | Fidel Fargo | Television film |
| 1985 | Playboy Mid Summer Night's Dream Party 1985 | Himself | Television film |
| 1985 | The Equalizer | Louie Ganucci | Episode: "The Confirmation Day" |
| 1986 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Ed Fratus | Episode 1x23, "Road Hog" |
| 1986 | Nightlife | Himself | 1 episode |
| 1987 | Roomies | Nick Chase | 8 episodes |
| 1990 | Vendetta: Secrets of a Mafia Bride | Vincent Dominici | Television miniseries |
| 1992 | The Final Contract | | Television film |
| 1992 | Tales from the Crypt | Gambler | Episode: "Split Personality" |
| 1993 | Double Deception | Zimmer | Television film |
| 1994 | Columbo | Mo Weinberg | Episode: "Undercover" |
| 1994 | Crocodile Shoes | Lou Benedetti | Television miniseries |
| 1995 | Bless This House | Mr. Riveto | Episode: "The Postman Always Moves Twice" |
| 1996–1997 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Jack "Soldier" Belmont | 2 episodes |
| 1997 | The Last Don | Virginio Ballazzo | Television miniseries |
| 1997 | Law & Order | Lewis Darnell | Episode: "Mad Dog" |
| 1997 | Before Women Had Wings | Louis Ippolito | Television film |
| 1997 | The Outer Limits | Captain Parker | Episode: "Tempests" |
| 1998 | Greener Fields | Gallagher | Television film |
| 1999 | The Making of a Mobster: 'Mickey Blue Eyes' | Himself | Television short documentary |
| 2000 | The Howard Stern Show | Himself – Guest | Episode: "6 May 2000" |
| 2001 | The Sopranos | Bobby "Bacala" Baccalieri Sr. | Episode: "Another Toothpick" |
| 2002 | Alternate Realities | Frank | Television series |
| 2003 | The Handler | Dino Mantoni | Episode: "Bruno Comes Back" |
| 2004 | I'm With Her | Himself | Episode: "Winners & Losers & Whiners & Boozers: Part 2" |
| 2005–2011 | Biography | Himself | 2 episodes |
| 2005 | The Contenders | Himself | 4 episodes |
| 2007 | La noche desesperada | Murray | Television film, archive footage |
| 2008 | Cinemania | Himself | Episode: "Rocky IV" |
| 2009 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Eddy Mack | Episode: "Snatched" |
| 2011 | The Rocky Saga: Going the Distance | Himself | Television film documentary |
| 2013 | Baciamo le mani – Palermo New York 1958 | Gillo Draghi | Television miniseries (Italian) |
| 2014 | Turning Point with Frank McKay | Himself | Episode: "Frank McKay with Burt Young" |
| 2015 | The Jack and Triumph Show | Himself | Episode: "Sorvino's Pants" |
| 2016 | Brows Held High | Paulie Pennino | Episode: "Rocky and the Methods of Montage" |
| 2016 | Horace and Pete | Horace Sr. | Web miniseries, Episode #1.10 |
| 2018 | Kevin Can Wait | Marv | Season 2 |
| 2019 | Russian Doll | Joe | Recurring role, 2 episodes |