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Farewell, Duke: Rocky Star Tony Burton Dies at 78

The actor played Apollo Creed's trainer in the first six films.

Another Hollywood veteran is gone. Tony Burton, a prolific actor who appeared in The Shining, Stir Crazy and the first six Rocky films as Apollo Creed's trainer Duke, passed away. He was 78.
Burton's Rocky co-star Carl Weathers, who played Creed, tweeted the news on Thursday night:

According to MLive.com, Burton was in the hospital for the past year but never received an official diagnosis. Sadly, Burton wasn't able to see Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler's Creed as he was too ill. 
Before turning to acting, the Flint, Michigan, native boxed professionally and won Flint Golden Gloves light heavyweight titles in 1955 and 1957. Undoubtedly, there will be some kind of tribute to the actor at Ava DuVernay and Ryan Coogler's Oscar night party in his hometown.

(Photo: Albert L. Ortega/WireImage)

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