Rocky actor Tony Burton dies aged 78 after long battle with illness
Actor Tony Burton has passed away at the age of 78 following a year-long battle with illness.
The star was best known for playing trainer Duke Evers opposite Sylvester Stallone in the Rocky franchise.
His sister Loretta Kelley confirmed the news on Friday, saying that he had been ‘in and out’ of hospital for a year but had never received an official diagnosis.
Kelley confirmed that Burton wasn’t even well enough to see the newly-released Rocky spin-off Creed.
“There's a scene in the restaurant of that movie (Creed) where his picture is on the wall,” she told Michigan Live.
"We didn't talk about (Rocky) a lot. I mean we were excited, but other people were more excited. Whenever he would come home (to Flint) other people would just come over.”
Carl Weathers, who played Apollo Creed in the Rocky films, tweeted his condolences on Friday.
He wrote: “Sad news. RIP Tony Burton. His intensity and talent helped make the Rocky movies successful.”
