RIP Tony "Duke" Burton
 

Former boxer is best known for his role as Apollo Creed’s trainer, Tony “Duke” Evers, in the first six “Rocky” movies

Tony Burton, the actor who played Apollo Creed’s boxing trainer Tony “Duke” Evers in the “Rocky” movies, has died. He was 78.

The former football player and boxer appeared alongside Sylvester Stallone and Carl Weathers in the first six films of the hit franchise as Apollo Creed’s trainer.

Weathers confirmed Burton’s death in a heartfelt tweet Thursday night.

“@E_Woodyard @TheSlyStallone Sad news. RIP Tony Burton. His intensity and talent helped make the Rocky movies successful. #BePeace,” he wrote.

http://www.thewrap.com/tony-burton-r...or-dead-at-78/

Sucks I liked Duke he was great motivation for Rocky and Apollo

I was upset to see he did not appear in Creed considering he is Apollo's step father not just his trainer. Tony is such a small role, but a powerful one. He is he driving force that pits Rocky against Apollo and then a motivating force for both Rocky and Apollo. I always appreciated his character and the actor himself. Do we know the cause of his unfortunate passing?

As you say, Duke was a small role but a vital one across all the Rocky films. And aside from Stallone, the only actor in the first six films.

"You cut him! You hurt him! You see? You see? He's not a machine, he's a man!"

I suspect the fact, according to the news report, he'd been in and out of hospital for over a year, meant he wasn't well enough to even film a part for "Creed" sadly.

Not true, Burt Young (Pauly) also was in the 6 films.