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Burt Young Dead at 83: Fellow Stars Pay Tribute

Burt Young Dead at 83: Fellow Stars Pay Tribute

By:

Caitlin Berard

Burt Young, the actor behind the iconic Rocky character, Paulie, has died at the age of 83. Following the news of his death, tributes poured in from every corner of the internet from fans and colleagues alike, with many fellow stars commenting on Young’s incredible career and winning real-life personality.

Carl Weathers, who played alongside Burt Young in the Rocky franchise as the indomitable Apollo Creed, took to Twitter to pen a heartfelt tribute to his late friend. “RIP, Burt Young!” Weathers wrote. “A beautiful and talented soul. He was such an integral part of the Rocky family. ‘You want the bird? Go get the bird.’ Paulie will be with us forever!”

Better Off Dead… star Diane Franklin had glowing comments for Burt Young as well. Both stars had lead roles in the 1982 horror film Amityville II: The Possession, the filming of which Franklin clearly remembers fondly. “It is with great sadness I share the news of actor, Burt Young passing,” she wrote on Twitter. “He was 83. For those who don’t know he played my father in “AMITYVILLE II: The Possession.” He was a beautiful, funny, talented man, with a deep soul. He will be deeply missed.”

The Brady Bunch star Maureen McCormick paid tribute to the late Rocky star as well. “Rest In Peace Burt Young,” she wrote in a Twitter post. “What a great actor and a sweetheart of a man. My deepest condolences to his family.”

Sylvester Stallone Pens Heartfelt Tribute to Burt Young

Perhaps the most touching tribute of all came from the Rocky legend himself, Sylvester Stallone. Young starred alongside Stallone in not one, not two, but all six of the original Rocky films. During their 30 years on screen together, the pair formed a “dear” friendship.

“To my Dear Friend, Burt Young, you were an incredible man and artist,” Stallone wrote in an Instagram post with an image of himself and Young on the set of Rocky. “I and the World will miss you very much…RIP.”

Though Burt Young was best known for his work on Rocky, he also appeared in Once Upon a Time in America, Last Exit to Brooklyn, and Mickey Blue Eyes, with television cameos on The Sopranos, Law & Order, The Rockford Files, and M*A*S*H.