GOODBYE TONY BURTON, “ROCKY” ACTOR WHO TRAINED “APOLLO CREED”

 

Tony Burton, who appeared in six “Rocky films” opposite Sylvester Stallone, has died at the age of 78.

Burton played Tony “Duke” Evers, who trained both Rocky and Apollo Creed. The character supported Creed, Rocky Balboa’s opponent, in the first two boxing films before later becoming the trainer to Balboa himself. Before becoming an actor, Burton – who was from Flint, Michigan – briefly fought professionally and won Flint Golden Gloves light heavyweight titles in 1955 and again in 1957.

 

 

Burton is seen briefly in “Creed”, which was released in the UK last month, but only as part of a flashback which used stock footage from an earlier film.

In addition to appearing in the Rocky Films, Burton also appeared in The Shining and Stir Crazy. His last role was Sheriff Stoker in comedy-horror Hack! released in 2007.