American Character Actor. Burton, who was best known for his role as Apollo Creed's trainer "Duke" in the 'Rocky' series, was just one of four actors, including Sylvester Stallone, to appear in the first six 'Rocky' movies. He graduated from Flint Northern High School in 1955, where he played football and made All-City and All-Valley teams as a halfback while also leading the school's baseball team to a city title as a pitcher. In 1955 and 1957, he won two Flint Golden Gloves light heavyweight titles, then briefly fought professionally before launching his acting career. He first appeared on film in 1974's 'The Black Godfather' and had roles in a few more films before landing the role of "Duke" in 1976's 'Rocky', which would go on to earn the Academy Award for Best Picture the following year. Aside from the 'Rocky' franchise, Burton would appear in dozens of films, including 'Heroes' (1977), 'Blackjack' (1978), 'The Shining' (1980), 'Stir Crazy' (1980), 'Armed and Dangerous' (1986), 'Side Out' (1990), 'Hook' (1991), 'Shade' (2003) and 'Hack!' (2007). Burton, who had been in and out of the hospital for the past year, died of undisclosed causes.
American Character Actor. Burton, who was best known for his role as Apollo Creed's trainer "Duke" in the 'Rocky' series, was just one of four actors, including Sylvester Stallone, to appear in the first six 'Rocky' movies. He graduated from Flint Northern High School in 1955, where he played football and made All-City and All-Valley teams as a halfback while also leading the school's baseball team to a city title as a pitcher. In 1955 and 1957, he won two Flint Golden Gloves light heavyweight titles, then briefly fought professionally before launching his acting career. He first appeared on film in 1974's 'The Black Godfather' and had roles in a few more films before landing the role of "Duke" in 1976's 'Rocky', which would go on to earn the Academy Award for Best Picture the following year. Aside from the 'Rocky' franchise, Burton would appear in dozens of films, including 'Heroes' (1977), 'Blackjack' (1978), 'The Shining' (1980), 'Stir Crazy' (1980), 'Armed and Dangerous' (1986), 'Side Out' (1990), 'Hook' (1991), 'Shade' (2003) and 'Hack!' (2007). Burton, who had been in and out of the hospital for the past year, died of undisclosed causes.
Bio by: Louis du Mort
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