---
name: "Burt Young"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/burt-young"
fi1m_id: "burt-young"
imdb_id: "nm0949350"
tmdb_id: 4521
wikidata_id: "Q329700"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "30 April 1940"
died: "8 October 2023"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 12
average_fi1m_score: 68
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 12
updated: "2026-10-05T01:47:48.163041+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Burt Young

## Identity

Burt Young

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/burt-young
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** burt-young
- **IMDb ID:** nm0949350
- **TMDB ID:** 4521
- **Wikidata ID:** Q329700
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burt_Young, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q329700, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0949350/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4521

Actor. Born 30 April 1940 in New York City, New York, USA. Died 8 October 2023.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 30 April 1940, New York City, New York, USA
- **Died:** 8 October 2023
- **Active:** 1974–2019
- **Also known as:** Richard Morea , John Harris, Gerald Tommaso DeLouise, برت یانگ, Бёрт Янг
- **Frequently works with:** [Sylvester Stallone](https://film.one/person/sylvester-stallone.md), [Irwin Winkler](https://film.one/person/irwin-winkler.md), [Robert Chartoff](https://film.one/person/robert-chartoff.md), [Talia Shire](https://film.one/person/talia-shire.md), [Carl Weathers](https://film.one/person/carl-weathers.md), [Burgess Meredith](https://film.one/person/burgess-meredith.md), [John G. Avildsen](https://film.one/person/john-g-avildsen.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination
- **Average Fi1m score:** 68, as actor, over 12 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 81 (3), 1980s 69 (4), 1990s 60 (2), 2000s 50 (2), 2010s 83 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 68 to 65 across 10 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 11 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 8, Action 6, Sport 6, Comedy 4, Crime 3, Mystery 1
- **Screen time:** 20 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,207m across 11 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burt_Young, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q329700, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0949350/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4521

## Streaming the US now

- **AMC+:** [*Rocky*](https://film.one/film/rocky.md) (85), [*Rocky III*](https://film.one/film/rocky-iii.md) (70), [*Rocky II*](https://film.one/film/rocky-ii.md) (66), [*Rocky V*](https://film.one/film/rocky-v.md) (54), [*Rocky IV*](https://film.one/film/rocky-iv.md) (52)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Chinatown*](https://film.one/film/chinatown.md) (93), [*Mickey Blue Eyes*](https://film.one/film/mickey-blue-eyes.md) (66)
- **Apple TV:** [*Back to School*](https://film.one/film/back-to-school.md) (72), [*Rocky Balboa*](https://film.one/film/rocky-balboa.md) (68)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*The Adventures of Pluto Nash*](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-pluto-nash.md) (32)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Burt Young

> Burt Young makes supporting tough men difficult to dismiss, allowing sensitivity to complicate their resentment. We value the feeling beneath the bad temper, though familiar casting sometimes gives him too little else to work with.

Burt Young plays a rough man as someone who can be hurt. Resentment and volatility are familiar features of his working-class characters, but they rarely account for the whole person. We rate him for finding that sensitivity in supporting parts which could so easily amount to a threat, a nuisance or a familiar face.

His brief appearance as Curly in Roman Polanski's *Chinatown* (1974) is an early example of how much he can give a small part. The film's crowded plotting occasionally demands patience, yet Young makes room for a person we notice rather than another piece of information. We found the film unsettling because Jack Nicholson makes confidence so dangerously persuasive. Young contributes to the fine acting around him without needing comparable space.

The defining turn was Paulie Pennino in *Rocky* (1976), where a combustible temper and sensitivity become the central ingredients of the character. Young returned in five sequels through *Rocky Balboa* (2006), making six films with Sylvester Stallone. Paulie gave that mixture a long life, but the repeated tough-guy casting elsewhere could become restrictive. We would not confuse the durability of the part with a recommendation of every instalment.

In Sergio Leone's *Once Upon a Time in America* (1984), Young plays Joe, again in a supporting role. The film is absorbing and deeply sad, with Robert De Niro and Ennio Morricone providing much of its feeling. We are less persuaded by its occasionally arbitrary plotting or by Leone's fondness for his gangsters. Young's gift for giving rough men emotional depth is valuable in this company, though it needs careful handling. A director can make such men understandable without asking us to admire them.

Familiarity is the risk with Young: casting him as another tough man can leave too little for him to do. His work is worth seeking out where there is room for the sensitivity as well as the anger. Start with *Chinatown*; Paulie can wait an evening.

## Biography

Burt Young, born Gerald Tommaso DeLouise, was an American actor. He was born on 30 April 1940 in New York City and died on 8 October 2023 in Los Angeles. He trained under Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio and had earlier served in the United States Marine Corps and boxed professionally.

Young was best known for playing Paulie Pennino, Rocky Balboa’s friend and brother-in-law, in the Rocky film series from 1976 to 2006. His performance in the first film earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He also appeared as Curly in *Chinatown* (1974) and in films including *Once Upon a Time in America* (1984) and *The Pope of Greenwich Village* (1984). He had guest roles in series such as *The Sopranos* and *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, nytimes.com.*

## On Fi1m (12)

- *Russian Doll* (2019), Fi1m 83, as Joe — [page](https://film.one/tv/russian-doll.md)
- *Rocky Balboa* (2006), Fi1m 68, as Paulie Pennino — [page](https://film.one/film/rocky-balboa.md)
- *The Adventures of Pluto Nash* (2002), Fi1m 32, as Gino — [page](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-pluto-nash.md)
- *Mickey Blue Eyes* (1999), Fi1m 66, as Vito Graziosi — [page](https://film.one/film/mickey-blue-eyes.md)
- *Rocky V* (1990), Fi1m 54, as Paulie Pennino — [page](https://film.one/film/rocky-v.md)
- *Back to School* (1986), Fi1m 72, as Lou — [page](https://film.one/film/back-to-school.md)
- *Rocky IV* (1985), Fi1m 52, as Paulie Pennino — [page](https://film.one/film/rocky-iv.md)
- *Once Upon a Time in America* (1984), Fi1m 81, as Joe — [page](https://film.one/film/once-upon-a-time-in-america.md)
- *Rocky III* (1982), Fi1m 70, as Paulie Pennino — [page](https://film.one/film/rocky-iii.md)
- *Rocky II* (1979), Fi1m 66, as Paulie Pennino — [page](https://film.one/film/rocky-ii.md)
- *Rocky* (1976), Fi1m 85, as Paulie Pennino — [page](https://film.one/film/rocky.md)
- *Chinatown* (1974), Fi1m 93, as Curly — [page](https://film.one/film/chinatown.md)

## Complete filmography (143)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Medium Rare Cold Case* (2025), as Harry
- *The Final Code* (2021), as Detective
- *Tomorrow's Today* (2021), as Luca
- *Beckman* (2020), as Salvatore
- *Road to the Lemon Grove* (2019), as Zio Vincenzo
- *Vault* (2019), as Don Ruggiero
- *Epiphany* (2019), as Crab Apple
- *Six Children and One Grandfather* (2019), as Mr. Bloom
- *Smothered by Mothers* (2019), as Ivan
- *Russian Doll* (2019), series, as Joe — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/russian-doll.md)
- *The Brawler* (2019), as Salvatore
- *Tapestry* (2019), as Ian
- *The Amityville Murders* (2018), as Michael Brigante
- *Sarah Q* (2018), as Grandpa
- *The Neighborhood* (2017), as Jingles
- *King Rat* (2017), as Art Stillman
- *Horace and Pete* (2016), series, as Horace Sr.
- *Irene & Marie* (2015), as John
- *The Elevator: Three Minutes Can Change Your Life* (2015), as George
- *Tom in America* (2014), as Michael
- *Zarra's Law* (2014), as Paul Canto
- *Rob the Mob* (2014), as Joey D
- *Abigail Harm* (2013), as Mr. Warren
- *See You Tomorrow* (2013), as Palagonia
- *The Shoemaker* (2012), as Nicky the Greek
- *Win Win* (2011), as Leo Poplar
- *Kingshighway* (2010), as Mario Capriolini
- *Oliviero Rising* (2009), as Santino
- *New York, I Love You* (2008), as Landlord
- *Go Go Tales* (2008), as Murray
- *Carnera: The Walking Mountain* (2008), as Lou Soresi
- *The Hideout* (2007), as Mueller
- *Hack!* (2007), as J.T. Bates
- *Blue Lake Butcher* (2007), as Pops
- *Rocky Balboa* (2006), as Paulie Pennino — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/rocky-balboa.md)
- *The Making of 'Last Exit to Brooklyn'* (2006), Actor
- *L'onore e il rispetto* (2006), series, as Pasquale Li Causi
- *Carlito's Way: Rise to Power* (2005), as Artie Bottolota Sr.
- *Transamerica* (2005), as Murray Schupak
- *Nicky's Game* (2005), as Leo Singer
- *Downtown: A Street Tale* (2004), as Gus
- *Land of Plenty* (2004), as Sherman
- *The Handler* (2003), series, as Dino Mantoni
- *I'm with Her* (2003), series, as Burt Young
- *Crooked Lines* (2003), as Mike
- *Kiss The Bride* (2002), as Santo Sposato
- *The Adventures of Pluto Nash* (2002), as Gino — Fi1m 32, [page](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-pluto-nash.md)
- *Checkout* (2002), as Uncle Louie
- *Plan B* (2002), as Sal Palermo
- *The Day the Ponies Come Back* (2001), as John Stoller
- *The Boys of Sunset Ridge* (2001), as Hank Bartlowski
- *Very Mean Men* (2000), as Dominic Piazza
- *Table One* (2000), as Frankie Chips
- *Never Look Back* (2000), as Warden Gavin
- *L'uomo della fortuna* (2000), as Don Ettore Visone
- *Blue Moon* (2000), as Bobby
- *The Wasteland* (1999), as Joe
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Eddy Mack
- *Mickey Blue Eyes* (1999), as Vito Graziosi — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/mickey-blue-eyes.md)
- *The Florentine* (1999), as Joe McCollough
- *The Sopranos* (1999), series, as Bobby Baccalieri, Sr. — Fi1m 94, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sopranos.md)
- *Loser Love* (1999), as Sydney
- *The Mouse* (1997), as Burt Young
- *The Deli* (1997), as JC
- *Before Women Had Wings* (1997), as Louis Ippolito
- *Kicked in the Head* (1997), as Jack
- *She's So Lovely* (1997), as Lorenzo
- *The Undertaker's Wedding* (1997), as Alberto
- *The Last Don* (1997), series, as Virginio Ballazzo
- *Hot Blooded* (1997), as Roy
- *Heaven Before I Die* (1997), as Pollof
- *Firehouse* (1996), as Chief Shea
- *North Star* (1996), as Reno
- *Bless This House* (1995), series, Actor
- *The Outer Limits* (1995), series, as Captain Parker
- *The Maharaja's Daughter* (1995), series, as Milai
- *Crocodile Shoes* (1994), series, Actor
- *Vendetta II: The New Mafia* (1993), as Vincent Domenici
- *Double Deception* (1993), as Zimmer
- *Excessive Force* (1993), as Sal DiMarco
- *Walker, Texas Ranger* (1993), series, as Jack 'Soldier' Belmont
- *The Final Contract* (1993), as Francesco Della Croce
- *Circle of Fear* (1992), as Mancini
- *Bad Girls* (1992), as Leo
- *Vendetta: Secrets of a Mafia Bride* (1991), series, Actor
- *Americano rosso* (1991), as George Maniago
- *Rocky V* (1990), as Paulie Pennino — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/rocky-v.md)
- *Bright Angel* (1990), as Art
- *Backstreet Dreams* (1990), as Luca
- *Diving In* (1990), as Coach Mack
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Lewis Darnell — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *Club Fed* (1990), as Warden Boyle
- *Betsy's Wedding* (1990), as Georgie
- *Wait Until Spring, Bandini* (1989), as Rocco
- *Beverly Hills Brats* (1989), as Clive
- *Blood Red* (1989), as Andrews
- *Last Exit to Brooklyn* (1989), as Big Joe
- *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Gambler
- *Going Overboard* (1989), as General Noriega
- *Roomies* (1987), series, as Nick Chase
- *Medium Rare* (1987), as Harry Costas
- *Back to School* (1986), as Lou — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/back-to-school.md)
- *Rocky IV* (1985), as Paulie Pennino — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/rocky-iv.md)
- *The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1985), series, as Ed Fratus. the Salesman
- *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Louie Ganucci
- *A Summer to Remember* (1985), as Fidel Fargo
- *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Lupo Ramirez — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md)
- *The Pope of Greenwich Village* (1984), as Bed Bug Eddie
- *Once Upon a Time in America* (1984), as Joe — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/once-upon-a-time-in-america.md)
- *Over the Brooklyn Bridge* (1984), as Phil
- *Lookin' to Get Out* (1982), as Jerry Feldman
- *Amityville II: The Possession* (1982), as Anthony Montelli
- *Rocky III* (1982), as Paulie Pennino — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/rocky-iii.md)
- *...All the Marbles* (1981), as Eddie Cisco
- *Blood Beach* (1980), as Sergeant Royko
- *Murder Can Hurt You!* (1980), as Lt. Palumbo
- *Rocky II* (1979), as Paulie Pennino — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/rocky-ii.md)
- *Daddy, I Don't Like It Like This* (1978), as Rocco Agnelli · Writer
- *Convoy* (1978), as Pig Pen
- *Uncle Joe Shannon* (1978), as Joe Shannon · Writer
- *The Choirboys* (1977), as Scuzzi
- *Twilight's Last Gleaming* (1977), as Augie Garvas
- *Rocky* (1976), as Paulie Pennino — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/rocky.md)
- *Woman of the Year* (1976), as Ralph Rodino
- *Harry and Walter Go to New York* (1976), as Warden Durgom
- *Serpico: The Deadly Game* (1976), as Alec Rosen
- *The Killer Elite* (1975), as Mac
- *Murph the Surf* (1975), as Sgt. Bernasconi
- *Hustling* (1975), as Gustavino
- *Baretta* (1975), series, as Solomon, Willy · Writer
- *The Gambler* (1974), as Carmine
- *The Great Niagara* (1974), as Ace Tully
- *The Rockford Files* (1974), series, as Stuart Gaily — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-rockford-files.md)
- *Chinatown* (1974), as Curly — Fi1m 93, [page](https://film.one/film/chinatown.md)
- *Cinderella Liberty* (1973), as Master at Arms
- *The Connection* (1973), as Ernie
- *Across 110th Street* (1972), as Lapides
- *M*A*S*H* (1972), series, as Lt. Willis — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/m-a-s-h-1972.md)
- *The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight* (1971), as Willie Quarequlo
- *Born to Win* (1971), as First Hood
- *Columbo* (1971), series, as Mo Weinberg — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/columbo.md)
- *Carnival of Blood* (1970), as Gimpy (as John Harris)
- *Way of the Warriors*, as George Stevens

## Gallery

- ![Burt Young during filming of Tom in America. This photograph was taken by me on October 23, 2012 in New York City.](https://film.one/media/person/59476/gallery-961e07dedd18.jpg) Burt Young during filming of Tom in America. This photograph was taken by me on October 23, 2012 in New York City. — SilvioPozatto, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Burt-Young.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Burt Young at the Chiller Theatre Expo in 2013](https://film.one/media/person/59476/gallery-7b71fa630c8c.jpg) Burt Young at the Chiller Theatre Expo in 2013 — Rob DiCaterino from Clifton, NJ, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Burt_Young_%288707578453%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Lorenzo Tartamella with actor Burt Young. (2013)](https://film.one/media/person/59476/gallery-8dd10efdbeac.jpg) Lorenzo Tartamella with actor Burt Young. (2013) — Joeyjojo86, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/Lorenzo_Tartamella_and_Burt_Young.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![The official Theatrical Poster for the film Tom in America, starring Academy Award nominees Burt Young and Sally Kirkland. (2013)](https://film.one/media/person/59476/gallery-b056136ae85f.jpg) The official Theatrical Poster for the film Tom in America, starring Academy Award nominees Burt Young and Sally Kirkland. (2013) — Silvio Pozatto, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/Theatrical_Poster_for_Tom_in_America.jpg/1280px-Theatrical_Poster_for_Tom_in_America.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Burt Young](https://film.one/media/person/59476/gallery-5a58970e17bc.jpg) Burt Young — Image via TMDB
- ![Burt Young](https://film.one/media/person/59476/gallery-2075db20194d.jpg) Burt Young — Image via TMDB
- ![Burt Young](https://film.one/media/person/59476/gallery-1fc4da7b71e8.jpg) Burt Young — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 1977: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *Rocky*

### Other awards — 0 won, 2 nominated

- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award 1991: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award (nominated), for *Rocky V*
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award 1986: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award (nominated), for *Rocky IV*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/burt-young