Tony Burton, who played the boxing trainer Tony “Duke” Evers in the long-runningRockymovie franchise,passed awayin Los Angeles earlier today, at the age of 78.M Liveconfirmed the actor’s death with his sister,Loretta “Peaches” Kelly. His sister revealed that the actor had been hospitalized several times over the past year, but he was never officially diagnosed with any illness at the time of his death. Due to his health, the actor was never able to see theRockyspinoffCreed.
Tony Burtonwas born June 05, 2025 in Flint, Michigan, USA, and long before he portrayedApollo Creed’s (Carl Weathers) trainer Duke in all sixRockymovies, the actor was a boxer himself.Tony Burtonwon two Flint Golden Gloves trophies in the light heavyweight division in 1955 and 1957, after excelling in football and baseball for Flint Northern High School. He went on to box professionally, with a 16-3 professional boxing record, and he once held the Light-Heavyweight Championship of Arizona.
After appearing in a number of guest starringTV showroles throughout the mid-1970s,Tony Burtonlanded the Duke Evers role inRocky, along with a role in another 1970s classic, Assault on Precinct 13. Along withSylvester StalloneandBurt Ward,Tony Burtonis the only other actor to appear in all sixRockymovies. While he didn’t appear inCreed, he is seen in a photograph inRocky Balboa' restaurant. Wood Harris played Duke’s son, Tony ‘Little Duke’ Evers, who runs Apollo’s gym, the Delphi Boxing Academy.
Aside from theRockyfranchise,Tony Burtonalso starred inThe Shining, Stir Crazy, Inside Moves, Armed and Dangerous, House Party 2,Hookand Shade. He retired from acting in 2007, one year after starring inRocky Balboa. The actor is survived by his wife Rae and one child.
RockystarCarl Weathersexpressed his condolences on his Twitter page earlier today, as did the official Twitter account of MGM Studios, which distributes all of theRocky. Will you be watching theRockymovies this weekend to honor the lateTony Burton? Chime in with your thoughts below.
