R.I.P. to :damn:
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kingdizzy01
ATXBBOY
NoGutsNoGLory
Superstar
Actor Tony Burton, trainer of Apollo Creed and the Italian Stallion in Rocky movies, dies at 78 after year-long battle with illness
By MIKE LARKIN FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 01:41 EST, 26 February 2016 | UPDATED: 04:41 EST, 26 February 2016
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On the silver screen he helped Apollo Creed and Rocky succeed in the toughest of battles.
But actor Tony Burton, who played trainer Duke Evers in six movies of the hit franchise, died in California on Thursday after a long fight with illness.
The 78-year-old had been in-and-out of hospital for the past year, however he never received an official diagnosis.
Fighter: Rocky star Tony Burton passed away at 78 on Thursday after a year-long battle with illness
His younger sister Loretta Kelley confirmed the news to the Flint native's home state news website Michigan Live.
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Carl Weathers, who played Apollo, tweeted: 'Sad news. RIP Tony Burton. His intensity and talent helped make the Rocky movies successful. #BePeace.'
Unlike his on-screen charges, Tony was actually an accomplished boxer.
Fight of the century: He was in Apollo Creed's corner during his first bout with Balboa in 1976 classic Rocky
Helping the Master Of Disaster: He helped Apollo win in Rocky before his charge lost the belt in the sequel
RIP: Carl Weathers posted an emotional tribute to his friend and co-star on Twitter
He won Flint Golden Gloves light heavyweight titles in 1955 and 1957, and even had a brief professional career in the ring before becoming an actor.
His sister said he was unable to see the latest film in the franchise Creed, which tells the story of Apollo's illegitimate son's boxing career, due to his failing health.
Loretta said: 'There's a scene in the restaurant of that movie (Creed) where his picture is on the wall.
Final bell: Apollo died in the ring after Rocky failed to throw in the towel quickly enough in the fourth film
Revenge mission: He got the Italian Stallion into the best shape of his life for his fight in Russia in Rocky IV
'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.'
An accomplished athlete,he made All-City and All-Valley American football teams as a halfback in 1954. He was also an skilled pitcher in baseball.
He was inducted into the Greater Flint Afro-American Sports Hall of Fame back in 1993.
Hit for six: Tony was in all six pre-Creed films including the supposed finale Rocky Balboa
Read more: Actor Tony Burton, Apollo's trainer in Rocky movies, dies at 78
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
..........................................
By MIKE LARKIN FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 01:41 EST, 26 February 2016 | UPDATED: 04:41 EST, 26 February 2016
24
View comments
On the silver screen he helped Apollo Creed and Rocky succeed in the toughest of battles.
But actor Tony Burton, who played trainer Duke Evers in six movies of the hit franchise, died in California on Thursday after a long fight with illness.
The 78-year-old had been in-and-out of hospital for the past year, however he never received an official diagnosis.
Fighter: Rocky star Tony Burton passed away at 78 on Thursday after a year-long battle with illness
His younger sister Loretta Kelley confirmed the news to the Flint native's home state news website Michigan Live.
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Share
Carl Weathers, who played Apollo, tweeted: 'Sad news. RIP Tony Burton. His intensity and talent helped make the Rocky movies successful. #BePeace.'
Unlike his on-screen charges, Tony was actually an accomplished boxer.
Fight of the century: He was in Apollo Creed's corner during his first bout with Balboa in 1976 classic Rocky
Helping the Master Of Disaster: He helped Apollo win in Rocky before his charge lost the belt in the sequel
RIP: Carl Weathers posted an emotional tribute to his friend and co-star on Twitter
He won Flint Golden Gloves light heavyweight titles in 1955 and 1957, and even had a brief professional career in the ring before becoming an actor.
His sister said he was unable to see the latest film in the franchise Creed, which tells the story of Apollo's illegitimate son's boxing career, due to his failing health.
Loretta said: 'There's a scene in the restaurant of that movie (Creed) where his picture is on the wall.
Final bell: Apollo died in the ring after Rocky failed to throw in the towel quickly enough in the fourth film
Revenge mission: He got the Italian Stallion into the best shape of his life for his fight in Russia in Rocky IV
'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.'
An accomplished athlete,he made All-City and All-Valley American football teams as a halfback in 1954. He was also an skilled pitcher in baseball.
He was inducted into the Greater Flint Afro-American Sports Hall of Fame back in 1993.
Hit for six: Tony was in all six pre-Creed films including the supposed finale Rocky Balboa
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Read more: Actor Tony Burton, Apollo's trainer in Rocky movies, dies at 78
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
..........................................
valet
The official Chaplain of the Coli
What part he play on a Different World?
Had a solid acting resume outside of the Rocky movies. A Different World, Chips, Fallout Guy, Rockford Files, NYPD Blue.
RIP Duke
YeLovesBoston
Superstar
RIP. Lovev him in Rocky IV
Every time I watch that movie I'm hoping it'll be different and Rocky just throws the damn towel.
Every time I watch that movie I'm hoping it'll be different and Rocky just throws the damn towel.
RIP
The God Poster
LWO representa
he was in the hospitalwhat?!they should've had the both of them in there
Address_Unknown
Jesus Loves you...Your Cat doesn't. {#Dogset}
I'd be lying if I said I don't envision Duke whenever I got to overcome something yelling shyt in my proverbial corner to get my psyched.
" All your strength, all your power, all your love. Everything you've got. Right now!"
Rest in peace, man.
The look on his face in this scene cracks me up everytime when he slings that water on Drago's Cornermen.
I love Latina women
Veteran
ManBearPig
half man half bearpig
Rip
