Tony Burton, who is famous for playing the corner man in six “Rocky”” movies, was himself, in real life, a professional heavyweight boxer. Boxing in such avenues as Palm Springs, Los Angeles, and Hollywood, California, the 6 feet 200 pound Burton knocked-out among others, Bob Smith and Denny Chaney. His most important match was an April 4, 1959 6th round knockout defeat at the hands of undefeated LaMar Clark at Palm Springs, California. Clark was the 10th rated heavyweight and had won 38 straight knockouts. Burton gave as good as he got for 5 rounds, but Clark’s relentless mauling style finally wore him down.”
Tony Burton
Movies
Rocky
Rocky Balboa is a struggling boxer trying to make the big time, working as a debt collector for a pittance. When heavyweight champion Apollo Creed visits Philadelphia, his managers want to set up an exhibition match between Creed and a struggling boxer, touting the fight as a chance for a…
Fun Facts
Sylvester Stallone, Burt Young, and Burton are/were the only actors to have appeared in all of the first six 'Rocky' movies.
Posted a 16-3 professional boxing record and held the Light-Heavyweight Championship of Arizona.
Played chess with Stanley Kubrick on the set of The Shining (1980).
Had four children: sons, Jomo and Martin (1971-2014); and daughters, Juanita and Christal.
Before he became an actor, he had once served three years in prison for armed robbery. He became interested in acting while in prison, and pursued that career after he got out.
Inducted into the Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame in 1993.