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Today’s induction is one of the kingpins of underrated actors. Though he is the only one of the three who has ever been nominated for an Oscar, Burt Young may walk around Hollywood to this day, mistaken for Danny Devito or Dennis Franz’s brother.

Though few casual movie fans may know Burt Young by name, he has made a significant contribution to the movie industry over the last several decades, not the least of which was a pivotal role in the 1974 classic film Chinatown by Roman Polanski. It was in this film that he first laid the foundations for one of the two character types he would truly master over the coming decades: the angry drunk. He perfected this role in the 1976 film Rocky, earning himself an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

He went on to reprise the role of Rocky Balboa’s best friend Paulie in five sequels, all of which showed different aspects of his character (most recently in 2006). He appeared in his own screenplay in Uncle Joe Shannon, again as a down-on-his-luck alcoholic, and there were certainly hints in that direction when he portrayed Rodney Dangerfield’s enforcer in Back to School, one of the occasions in which he flexed his chops in comedy.

Another instance in which he did the same was in his portrayal of the other character type for which he has partially cornered the market: senior mafia member. He was the Don of the crime family in Mickey Blue Eyes, holding the fate of none other than James Caan in his hands, and he has played similar roles in Excessive Force and The Last Don, featuring casts that included James Earl Jones and Danny Aiello.

His other roles are wide and varied, but he has also dabbled in one other (more nefarious) role that can be a challenge to portray: pervert. He has successfully passed himself off as a sex offender on a few occasions, including a stint as guest star on Law and Order and also as an abusive father in Red Blooded II.

Other notable screen credits include TransAmerica and Amityville II: The Possession.

BACK TO: The Wall of Underappreciated Actors