Born: April 30, 1940 – Died: October 8, 2023
Burt Young, an Italian-American actor, was known for his distinctive roles that often portrayed him as a rugged character on the fringes of society. Born in New York City to a high school shop teacher, Young's early life in the bustling city set the stage for his future career in the entertainment industry. His Italian heritage played a significant role in shaping his identity and acting style.
Early Life and Career
Young embarked on his acting journey after receiving training from the legendary Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio. His career took off with roles that highlighted his ability to play tough characters with a hint of vulnerability. He first gained notice for his performances in various films where he played tough thugs, establishing himself as a versatile actor.
His breakthrough came with the 1976 film Rocky, where he played Paulie, the future brother-in-law of the title character. This role earned him an Oscar nomination and set him on a path to reprise this character in all five "Rocky" sequels, making him a household name. His portrayal of Paulie was not just a display of his acting prowess but also a testament to his ability to bring depth and humanity to rough-edged characters.
Throughout his career, Young appeared in numerous major productions, displaying his range and versatility. His roles in films like "Chinatown" and "Win Win" further cemented his status in Hollywood. Beyond acting, Young also had talents in writing and music, contributing to various projects in these fields.
In his personal life, Young was married to Gloria from 1961 until her death in 1974, and they had two children. His life was marked by his dedication to his family and his passion for the arts. He served in the U.S. Marines, adding to his multifaceted personality.
Burt Young's impact on Hollywood was significant. He was known for playing characters that were tough yet relatable, often showcasing the struggles and triumphs of the everyday man. His ability to bring authenticity and depth to his roles made him an iconic figure in the film industry, remembered for his unique contributions and memorable performances.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | The Final Code | Detective |
| 2021 | Tomorrow's Today (Video) | Luca |
| 2021 | Tomorrow's Today | Luca |
| 2021 | Whack the Don | Guido |
| 2020 | Beckman | Salvatore |
| 2019 | Bottom of the 9th | Scaleri |
| 2019 | Vault | Don Ruggiero |
| 2019 | Epiphany | Crab Apple |
| 2019 | Smothered by Mothers | Ivan |
| 2019 | Russian Doll (TV Series) | Joe |
| 2019 | The Brawler | Salvatore |
| 2019 | Tapestry | Ian |
| 2018 | The Amityville Murders | Michael Brigante |
| 2018 | Sarah Q | Grandpa |
| 2018 | The Selfish Ones (Short) | Father John (voice) |
| 2018 | Road to the Lemon Grove | Zio Vincenzo |
| 2018 | Kevin Can Wait (TV Series) | Marv |
| 2018 | 6 Children & 1 Grandfather | Mr. Bloom |
| 2017 | The Neighborhood | Jingles |
| 2017 | King Rat | Art Stillman |
| 2016 | Horace and Pete (TV Mini Series) | Horace Sr. |
| 2016 | The Dicks (Short) | Ed |
| 2015 | Fall 4 You (Short) | Dominick |
| 2015 | Irene & Marie (Short) | John |
| 2015 | Lostland (Short) | Unknown |
| 2015 | The Elevator | George |
| 2014 | Tom in America (Short) | Michael |
| 2014 | Zarra's Law | Paul Canto |
| 2014 | Rob the Mob | Joey D |
| 2013 | Baciamo le mani: Palermo-New York 1958 (TV Series) | Don Gillo Draghi |
| 2013 | Ci vediamo domani | Palagonia |
| 2012 | Abigail Harm | Mr. Warren |
| 2012 | The Shoemaker (Short) | Nicky the Greek |
| 2011 | Win Win | Leo Poplar |
| 2010 | Hot Hot Heat: Goddess on the Prairie (Music Video) | Driver |
| 2010 | Kingshighway | Mario Capriolini |
| 2010 | Medium Rare (TV Series) | Harry Costas |
| 2009 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series) | Eddy Mack |
| 2008 | New York, I Love You | Landlord (segment "Fatih Akin") |
| 2008 | Carnera: The Walking Mountain | Lou Soresi |
| 2007 | Oliviero Rising | Santino |
| 2007 | Il nascondiglio | Muller |
| 2007 | Hack! | J.T. Bates |
| 2007 | Go Go Tales | Murray |
| 2007 | Blue Lake Butcher | Pops |
| 2006 | *Rocky Balboa* | Paulie |
| 2006 | Revoloution | Burt Young |
| 2005 | Nicky's Game (Short) | Leo Singer |
| 2005 | Carlito's Way: Rise to Power (Video) | Artie Bottolota Sr. |
| 2005 | Transamerica | Murray |
| 2004 | Downtown: A Street Tale | Gus |
| 2004 | Land of Plenty | Sherman |
| 2004 | The Wager | Jack Stockman |
| 2004 | Shut Up and Kiss Me! | Vincent Bublioni |
| 2004 | I'm with Her (TV Series) | Burt Young |
| 2003 | The Handler (TV Series) | Dino Mantoni |
| 2003 | Crooked Lines | Mike Ameche |
| 2002 | And She Was | Lou |
| 2002 | Alternate Realities (TV Series) | Frank |
| 2002 | Kiss the Bride | Santo |
| 2002 | The Adventures of Pluto Nash | Gino |
| 2002 | Checkout | Uncle Louie |
| 2001 | Cugini | Pasquale 'pop' Cugini |
| 2001 | Plan B | Sal Palermo |
| 2001 | The Sopranos (TV Series) | Bobby 'Bacala' Sr. |
| 2001 | The Boys of Sunset Ridge | Hank Bartlowski |
| 2000 | Never Look Back | Warden Gavin |
| 2000 | The Boys Behind the Desk | Unknown |
| 2000 | The Day the Ponies Come Back | John Stoller |
| 2000 | Gioco di specchi (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 2000 | Very Mean Men | Dominic Piazza |
| 2000 | Table One | Frankie Chips |
| 2000 | L'uomo della fortuna | Don Ettore Visone |
| 2000 | Blue Moon | Bobby |
| 1999 | The Wasteland | Joe |
| 1999 | Mickey Blue Eyes | Vito Graziosi |
| 1999 | Loser Love | Sydney Delacroix |
| 1999 | The Florentine | Joe Mc Collough |
| 1999 | Thinking About Africa (TV Series) | Oland |
| 1998 | One Deadly Road | Unknown |
| 1998 | Stone Cutter | Leonardo |
| 1998 | Cuori in campo (TV Movie) | Gallagher |
| 1997 | Heaven Before I Die | Pollof |
| 1997 | The Good Life | Jimmy |
| 1996–1997 | Walker, Texas Ranger (TV Series) | Jack 'Soldier' Belmont |
| 1997 | Before Women Had Wings (TV Movie) | Louis Ippolito |
| 1997 | The Deli | JC |
| 1997 | The Undertaker's Wedding | Alberto |
| 1997 | She's So Lovely | Lorenzo |
| 1997 | The Last Don (TV Mini Series) | Virginio Ballazzo |
| 1997 | Kicked in the Head | Jack |
| 1997 | Law & Order (TV Series) | Lewis Darnell |
| 1997 | The Outer Limits (TV Series) | Captain Parker |
| 1997 | Hit & Run | Roy |
| 1996 | Firehouse (TV Movie) | Chief Frank Shea |
| 1996 | North Star | Reno |
| 1995 | Bless This House (TV Series) | Mr. Rovetto |
| 1994 | The Maharaja's Daughter (TV Mini Series) | Milai |
| 1994 | Crocodile Shoes (TV Mini Series) | Lou Benedetti |
| 1994 | Undercover (TV Movie) | Mo Weinberg |
| 1993 | Vendetta II: The New Mafia (TV Movie) | Vincent Domenici |
| 1993 | Double Deception (TV Movie) | Zimmer |
| 1993 | Berlin '39 | Werner |
| 1993 | Excessive Force | Sal DiMarco |
| 1993 | Due vite, un destino (TV Movie) | Francesco Della Croce |
| 1992 | Bad Girls | Leo |
| 1992 | Alibi perfetto | Mancini |
| 1992 | Tales from the Crypt (TV Series) | Gambler |
| 1991 | Americano rosso | George Maniago |
| 1990 | Vendetta: Secrets of a Mafia Bride (TV Mini Series) | Vincente Dominici |
| 1990 | Bright Angel | Art |
| 1990 | *Rocky V* | Paulie |
| 1990 | Diving In | Coach Mack |
| 1990 | Backstreet Dreams | Luca |
| 1990 | Club Fed | Warden Boyle |
| 1990 | Betsy's Wedding | Georgie |
| 1989 | Wait Until Spring, Bandini | Rocco |
| 1989 | Going Overboard | General Noriega |
| 1989 | Beverly Hills Brats | Clive |
| 1989 | Blood Red | Andrews |
| 1989 | Last Exit to Brooklyn | Big Joe |
| 1987 | Medium Rare | Harry Costas |
| 1987 | Roomies (TV Series) | Nick Chase |
| 1986 | Back to School | Lou |
| 1986 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV Series) | Ed Fratus. the Salesman |
| 1985 | *Rocky IV* | Paulie |
| 1985 | The Equalizer (TV Series) | Louie Ganucci |
| 1985 | A Summer to Remember (TV Movie) | Fidel Fargo |
| 1984 | Miami Vice (TV Series) | Lupo Ramirez |
| 1984 | The Pope of Greenwich Village | Bed Bug Eddie |
| 1984 | Once Upon a Time in America | Joe |
| 1984 | Over the Brooklyn Bridge | Phil |
| 1983 | You and Me Kid (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1982 | Lookin' to Get Out | Jerry Feldman |
| 1982 | Amityville II: The Possession | Anthony Montelli |
| 1982 | *Rocky III* | Paulie |
| 1981 | ...All the Marbles | Eddie Cisco |
| 1980 | Blood Beach | Sgt. Royko |
| 1980 | Murder Can Hurt You! (TV Movie) | Lt. Palumbo |
| 1979 | *Rocky II* | Paulie |
| 1978 | Uncle Joe Shannon | Joe Shannon |
| 1978 | Daddy, I Don't Like It Like This (TV Movie) | Rocco Agnelli |
| 1978 | *Convoy* | Pig Pen |
| 1977 | The Choirboys | Scuzzi |
| 1977 | Twilight's Last Gleaming | Augie Garvas |
| 1976 | *Rocky* | Paulie |
| 1976 | The Rockford Files (TV Series) | Stuart Gaily |
| 1975–1976 | Baretta (TV Series) | Johnny Checco | Solomon | Willy |
| 1976 | Woman of the Year (TV Movie) | Ralph Rodino |
| 1976 | Harry and Walter Go to New York | Warden Durgom |
| 1976 | Serpico (TV Series) | Alec Rosen |
| 1975 | The Killer Elite | Mac |
| 1975 | Murph the Surf | Sgt. Bernasconi |
| 1975 | Hustling (TV Movie) | Gustavino |
| 1974 | Little House on the Prairie (TV Series) | Bar patron (uncredited) |
| 1974 | The Gambler | Carmine |
| 1974 | The Great Niagara (TV Movie) | Ace Tully |
| 1974 | *Chinatown* | Curly |
| 1973 | Cinderella Liberty | Master at Arms |
| 1973 | M*A*S*H (TV Series) | Lt. Willis |
| 1973 | The Connection (TV Movie) | Ernie |
| 1972 | Across 110th Street | Lapides |
| 1971 | The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight | Willie Quarequlo |
| 1971 | Born to Win | First Hood |
| 1970 | Carnival of Blood | Gimpy (as John Harris) |
| 1969 | The Doctors (TV Series) | Bartender (uncredited) |