Paulie Pennino
| Paul "Paulie" Pennino | |
|---|---|
| Rocky character | |
| First appearance | Rocky |
| Last appearance | Rocky Balboa |
| Created by | Sylvester Stallone |
| Portrayed by | Burt Young |
| Information | |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Meat packer Cornerman for Robert "Rocky" Balboa Sr. |
| Relatives |
Adrianna "Adrian" Balboa (sister) Robert "Rocky" Balboa Sr. (brother-in-law) Robert "Rocky" Jr. (nephew) |
| Nationality | American |
Paul "Paulie" Pennino (November 19, 1940 – February 22, 2012) is a major supporting character in six of the seven Rocky movies, played by Burt Young, who, along with co-star Burgess Meredith, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the first film.
He is Adrian's older brother and Rocky Balboa's best friend/brother-in-law. He is an alcoholic and is not afraid to lose his temper when the opportunity arises. Most of the time he does that out of jealousy towards his friends and family, and he feels like they owe him for their success. Despite this, he cares about his friends and family, and he will stand up for Rocky if someone insults him. Despite being friends with Apollo Creed and Tony "Duke" Evers, Paulie is shown to be racist, as seen in Rocky III when he openly stated that he did not like any of the black boxers in the gym where Creed once trained, though that could just be out of nervousness. He says in Rocky Balboa that "Italian food cooked up by a bunch of Mexicans ain't so special." He's also known for his catchphrase "I don't sweat you" in response to a fight. Paulie, while a loyal friend to Rocky, causes the premature birth of Balboa's son by shouting at his wife during her pregnancy, creates the brawls that draws Rocky into a street fight against Tommy Gunn, and establishes a quasi-marital relationship with Sico - a robot given to Paulie by Rocky as a birthday present in Rocky IV.
It was because of Paulie that Rocky met, dated, and married his sister Adrian, and it was at the meat factory Paulie worked at where Rocky began his unique training method of punching the meat carcasses. Paulie also distracted the ringside security guards so Adrian could embrace Rocky in the ring after his fight with Apollo Creed was over. Some important details on Paulie's background can be seen in a photo sitting on a mantle at his house during the scene when Rocky comes over to ask Adrian out on a date. In the photo, Paulie is wearing the dress uniform and cover of a Chief Petty Officer of the U.S. Navy. It stands to reason that at this point in Paulie's life, he may have been separated and possibly even retired from the Navy, and he likely owns or is paying the mortgage on the house that he and Adrian are living in. And his abusive attitude in general towards Adrian can be seen during that same scene when he throws out the Thanksgiving turkey that she spent the day making, causing Adrian to cry, run to her room, and close the door.
Paulie visits Rocky in the hospital after his match with Apollo. After Rocky's marriage to Adrian, he congratulates the two. Later, he gives his former meat-packing job to Rocky; he also buys Rocky's car after the latter is laid off from Shamrock Meats due to budget cutbacks. He is disappointed later when he sees Rocky training amateurs in Mighty Mick's Gym; Paulie soon goes to the animal shop where Adrian works and yells at her causing Rocky's son, Robert Jr., to be born prematurely. He later helps Rocky and Adrian with the baby by taking care of him on the night of Rocky's match. Though he is disappointed at the beginning of Rocky's match, he eventually jumps in joy and hugs Adrian when Rocky is victorious.
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