Burt Young, precisely 5ft 6 (167.6 cm) tall, embodied a stocky, intimidating presence that defined his tough-guy persona in Hollywood.
His compact height amplified the gritty authenticity of Paulie Pennino, Rocky Balboa's foul-mouthed brother-in-law and best friend, across all six Rocky films, where his stature contrasted sharply with the towering champ yet commanded every scene.
- Iconic role in the Rocky series earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
- Featured in films like Once Upon a Time in America, Amityville II: The Possession, Convoy, and Mickey Blue Eyes, leveraging his 5ft 6 frame for memorable character parts.
Young's exact 5ft 6 (167.6 cm) build fueled his image as a powerhouse character actor, author, and painter from Queens.