TONY BURTON

Best known as the fictional boxing trainer to the characters Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed, Tony Burton sadly passed away at the age of 78. Although the cause remains unclear, a statement made by his sister, Loretta Kelley, told the press that the actor had been in and out of hospitals several times in 2019. Having frequent visits like that must have taken a toll on his finances, but knowing him as an actor, he’d probably have the insurance to cover for it.

Burton was most famous for his role as Duke Evers in the Rocky films, appearing in six of the franchise’s films. He decided to briefly retire from acting in 2007 before reprising his role again in the Creed films. Various tributes were made to him, including Creed actor Carl Weathers and even MGM, the studio responsible for the distribution of the Rocky films.