“Rest in Peace to This Legend”: Mourning Fans Join an Emotional Mike Tyson’s Trainer in Remembering the Legacy of ‘Rocky’ Actor Who Passed Away at 83

Accomplished character actor Burt Young, widely recognized and even nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Sylvester Stallone‘s brother-in-law in the ‘Rocky’ film series, has passed away at the age of 83, as confirmed by his manager Lynda Bensky. Young’s demise in Los Angeles on October 8 was initially reported by The New York Times, citing his daughter, Anne Morea Steingieser. Following the news, Sylvester Stallone also shared a heartfelt tribute on his social media.

Born as Gerald Tommaso DeLouise in Queens, New York City, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the 1950s and later honed his craft at the prestigious Lee Strasberg‘s Actors Studio. His career mainly consisted of playing tough-guy and Italian-American characters on both the small and big screens. However, his most iconic role was that of Paulie Pennino in the original 1976 ‘Rocky’ film. This even earned him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor. His sad passing has definitely left the world in shock and profound sadness.

Mike Tyson’s trainer pays respect to the late actor

Reflecting on the passing of Burt, Teddy Atlas, former trainer of Mike Tyson, shared heartfelt memories of their friendship on social media that began in the 1980s at Gleason’s gym. He fondly remembered their initial meeting, writing, “I first met Burt at Gleason’s Gym in Manhattan in the 1980s. He managed a fighter who was sparring with a fighter I trained.”

According to Atlas, Burt’s amiable and sociable nature endeared him to many. Atlas recalls, “He had a ‘Kibitzing’ type of personality, and we hit it off.” Over the years, their bond deepened, and Burt became a regular attendee at the annual Dinner/Fundraiser organized by Teddy’s foundation.

He wrote, “Years later after I started the @AtlasFoundation to help people in need who often had nowhere else to go, he would come to our yearly Dinner/Fundraiser.” Burt’s commitment to charitable causes was unwavering. Atlas remembers, “He once even came to my home for an event for suicide prevention among children.”

He added, “He was always accessible to everyone, staying until the end to sign or take a pic.” He pointed out that while ‘Rocky Balboa’ symbolized “heart” on the silver screen, in real life, it was ‘Paulie’ who consistently exemplified genuine compassion. Atlas expressed his belief that Burt’s journey will continue in the afterlife, where he humorously added, “I don’t know if they have a ‘snow cone’ machine in Heaven, but I know they now have another Champion. Rest well, my friend.”

Fans’ reaction to Atlas’s emotional message

In the wake of the passing of the iconic ‘Rocky’ actor at the age of 83, fans from around the world have joined in mourning to remember the indelible legacy of this cinematic legend. One fan shared his respect towards Atlas’s tribute, writing, “Rest in peace to this legend. I knew he was great but your statement here Teddy shows a lot. What a guy.”

Another fan, curious about the actor’s history, inquired, “Was he a Boxer in the Army with recorded fights, Teddy?”

Meanwhile, one fan praised the late actor on his real boxing skills, he wrote, “14-0 as a fighter @TeddyAtlasReal and a great actor RIP.” Interestingly, according to IMDb, Burt had claimed that he held a record of 17-0 in professional boxing. However, Burt had stated that he used to fight under aliases and thus remained unknown.

A fan wrote, “Seemed like a great person.”

Another fan continued the outpouring of love and support, adding, “Lovely words, Teddy.”

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As fans unite to celebrate the life and work of this legendary actor, their reactions on social media serve as a testament to the influence he had on the hearts of many. Do share your prayers for the late actor in the comments below.

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