Gerald Tommaso DeLouise, known professionally as Burt Young, has passed away at age 83. He made a career of playing rough around the edges Italian-Americans. He is best known for his portrayal of Paulie, the hapless brother-in-law of Rocky Balboa. In the hands of a lesser actor Paulie would have been merely a comic relief figure. Instead, Young invested him with pathos and illustrated the complex man that Paulie was.
He was married to his wife Gloria from 1961 to her death in 1974. They had one daughter. He never remarried. A Marine, he enlisted with permission from his father at age 16, from 1957-1959. He boxed while he was in the Corps, winning 32 0f 34 matches.
Contra the roles he played, he was something of a Renaissance man, being both a painter and a writer.
A Catholic, I trust God will be gentle with his soul.
Bonus:
Rest in Gods Eternal Peace Burt.
[…] & Others: Interlude—The Case of ‘Albinoni’s Adagio’ – Kees Vlaardingerbroek Requiescat In Pace: Burt Young – Donald R. McClarey, Esq., at The American Catholic Garabandal: Is 2023 the Year? – […]