Paulie Pennino

Paul "Paulie" Pennino is a major supporting character in all six Rocky movies.

Biography

He is Adrian's 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 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 against blacks, as seen in Rocky III when he openly stated that he didn't like any of the black boxers in the gym where Creed once trained, though that could just be out of nervousness. He quoted in Rocky Balboa that "Italian food cooked up by a bunch of Mexicans ain't so special."

Rocky

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 can be seen 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 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 clearly 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.

Rocky II

It was Paulie yelling at Adrian that caused Rocky's son, Robert Jr., to be born prematurely.

Rocky III

Paulie had a job as one of Rocky's cornermen and even tried to fight off the wrestler Thunderlips when he was strangling Rocky.