Burt Young
Burt Young was an American actor best known for his role as Paulie Pennino, the title character’s best friend and eventual brother-in-law in the Rocky movies. Young earned a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his performance in the 1976 Best Picture-winning original film. He appeared in the first six Rocky films, but did not return for the 2015 reboot Creed (the movie explains that his character passed away, though Young himself lived until 2023). Known for playing Italian-American tough guys, he also appeared in Chinatown and Once Upon a Time in America. Along with being a screenwriter and playwright, he was also an accomplished painter (some of his paintings appear in the sixth Rocky movie, Rocky Balboa).