Tony Burton

Tony Burton(born in Flint, Michigan, United States of AmericaMarch 23, 1937), whose full name is Anthony "Tony" Burton, was a footballer, actor, and a boxer. Besides his parents, Tony's family consisted of a younger sibling named Loretta Peaches Kelly. He went to Flint Northern High School.

While studying there, Tony pursued boxing and excelled in it. He is the two-time champion of Michigan's amateur tournament named Golden Gloves. Tony also played baseball for some time.

In 1957, He became a professional boxer and managed to play in the semi-final of Chicago Tournament of Champions. In his boxing career, Lamar Clark was his ardente opponent. In 1959, he retired from it. However, since Tony didn't have much qualifications or skills he had to struggle to make ends meet. As a result, he  startedrobbery.

Police caught him and sent him to California Institution for Men, Chino, California. But despite such circumstances, he acquired University of California's diploma and degree. Tony regained his perspective while serving his time there.

In fact, it was here that Tony realized that could become an actor. After completing his sentence, he started doing small roles in some of Los Angeles' theatres. People began to appreciate his performances. Tony has featured in Assault on Precinct 13, The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, almost all of the Rocky series, House Party 2, The Greatest American Hero, and much more.

Tony is the only actor besides Burt Young Burt Young is an American author, painter, and act >> Read More... and Sylvester Stallone Sylvester Stallone is a famous American artist, sc >> Read More... who had recurring parts in Rocky films. He had appeared in Richard Pepin's directorial video named Cyber Track 2. Carl Weathers Carl, who has a talented past, took birth in New O >> Read More... is the person who launched Tony's career.

In 1993, Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame inducted his name on their list. Besides football and baseball, Tony faired well at chess as well. In fact, he managed to defeat Stanley Kubrick once on the set of The Shining. Though Tony won only once against Stanley Kubrick, he was one of the few people who managed to give Stanley some tough competition. Tony was Actors Studio's lifelong member.

In his lifetime, he married twice to Rae and Aurelian respectively. Tony was a doting father to one son and two daughters named Martin, Christal, and Juanita respectively. In 2015, he contracted pneumonia, and his family had to hospitalize him several times. Tony breathed his last on February 25, 2016, in California's Menifee hospital.