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Burt Young, the seasoned character actor renowned for his portrayal of Paulie, Rocky Balboa’s faithful companion in theRockymovie series, has passed away at the age of 83. On the 8th of October, in Los Angeles, Burt Young’s daughter, Anne Morea Steingieser, informed the New York Times about his passing. However, no specific cause of death was disclosed.
Nevertheless, several other prominent figures from Rocky’s world are absent from the recent films, for reasons ranging from their characters’ fictional deaths to the actors’ real-life choices to not reappear, or even their own real-life departures. Here are seven actors you might not realize have passed away since the original release ofRockyin 1976.
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Sage Stallone
Making his acting debut inRocky Vas Rocky Jr., Sage Stallone followed in his father’s footsteps, stepping into the entertainment world in 1990.
He was the first child ofSylvester Stallonefrom his initial marriage to photographer Sasha Czack. In 2012, Sage Stallone’s untimely death at 36 was attributed to atherosclerosis, leading to a fatal heart attack, according to the Los Angeles County coroners (viaCNN).
Tony Burton
Actor Anthony Mabron Burton, famously known as Tony Burton, gained recognition for his portrayal of the no-nonsense trainer Tony “Duke” Evers, who played a pivotal role in Apollo and Rocky’s boxing journeys.
Burton’s character Duke first graces the screen inRockyas the tough-as-nails coach assisting Apollo in his intense face-off against Rocky in the climactic heavyweight match, appearing again in the memorable rematch inRocky II.Following Burton’s passing in 2016, both Stallone and Weathers expressed their gratitude for the actor on various social media platforms.
Burgess Meredith
Renowned actor Burgess Meredith, best recognized for his portrayal of Rocky’s original trainer Mickey “Mick” Goldmill in the filmsRocky, Rocky II,andRocky III,passed away in 1997 at the age of 89 (viaCNN).
Although the actor’s character had departed years earlier, meeting his end during the events ofRocky IIIin 1982, Meredith’s association with the franchise continued through flashbacks inRocky Vin 1990.
Also Read:“I can’t wait to get in there and get a hernia”: Sylvester Stallone Hated the Nightmare Process to Get Ripped For Rocky 6
Thayer David
Similar to Meredith, David was an established actor by the time he made his appearance inRocky.His previous roles included Count Saknussemm in the originalJourney to the Center of the Earthin 1959, and Professor T. Eliot Stokes in 1970’sHouse of Dark Shadows.
Having amassed 62 acting credits since 1950,Rockystands as one of David’s final supporting roles in a feature film before his passing in 1978 (viaThe New York Times). His contributions to the world of theater and film are fondly remembered within the industry.
Joe Spinell
Before Rocky embarks on his boxing journey, he’s just a young guy in Philly trying to get by with whatever odd jobs he can find.
Spinell, as an actor, had made appearances in several iconic movies during the ’70s and ’80s, such asThe Godfather, The Godfather: Part II, Taxi Driver,and the ’80s fright-festManiac. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1989 at the age of 52 for reasons that were never fully disclosed (viaLegacy.com).
Tommy Morrison
Professional boxer Thomas David Morrison took on the role of Tommy Gunn, the up-and-coming boxer under Rocky’s wing, in the 1990 filmRocky V,starring alongside Sylvester Stallone. Morrison held the World Boxing Organization title in 1993 after a match with George Foreman, who spoke of Morrison after his passing, saying “he was just a good guy” (viaLos Angeles Times).
Morrison had a brief comeback in the mid-2000s before hanging up his gloves for good in 2008. During his retirement, he spent most of his time with his family before falling ill and eventually passing away in 2013 at the age of 44 (viaUSA Today).
Sylvia Meals
Famous for portraying Mary Anne Creed, Apollo Creed’s wife in bothRocky IIandRocky IV,actress Sylvia Meals passed away at the age of 67 in 2011 (viaAncient Faces).
Mary Anne plays a significant role in witnessing Apollo’s journey as he prepares to face off against Rocky, trains rigorously, and ultimately goes head-to-head with Ivan Drago (played by Lundgren). However, tragically, her on-screen husband meets his fate in the ring.
Also Read:“It was bad, It was goose egg”: Sylvester Stallone Reveals Which Rocky Movie He Hates the Most
Vishal Kawadkar
Articles Published :975
Vishal Kawadkar is a seasoned writer specializing in writing engaging and informative content on various topics. He is a cinephile with a keen interest in sci-fi and thriller movies and TV shows. With an eye for detail, Vishal likes offering readers a fresh perspective on the latest trends and developments.
