Not every scene makes it into a final cut, but sometimes, a deleted scene is so powerful, you can’t help but wonder—why did they remove this? That’s exactly the case with this gut-wrenching moment from Rocky Balboa, featuring Paulie (Burt Young) breaking down in the alley behind Adrian’s Restaurant.
If you’ve never seen this scene, you’re in for something special. And if you have? You already know—it’s one of the most humanizing moments for Paulie in the entire Rocky series.
The Deleted Scene: Paulie’s Pain in the Alley
In this missing moment from Rocky Balboa, Paulie stumbles into the alley behind Adrian’s, carrying one of his paintings (a nod to Burt Young’s real-life talent as an artist). He’s raw, broken, and filled with regret.
“31 years I give him. 31 years freezing for what? It stinks. My life stinks. What have I done?”
This is classic Paulie—resentful, self-loathing, and full of bitterness. But then, the scene shifts into something even deeper. He confesses his guilt over how he treated Adrian, questioning why he’s still here while she’s gone.
“Why didn’t I die instead of my sister? I miss my sister, Rocko. I miss her. I really miss her.”
That line alone hits like a punch to the gut. Paulie, the loudmouth, the drunk, the guy who always seemed like he never truly appreciated Adrian, finally says the words we needed to hear. He regrets it. He knows he treated her badly. And now, it’s too late to fix it.
Rocky, ever the loyal friend, reassures him: “Hey, you’re still my best friend, Paulie.”
For once, Paulie drops the tough-guy act. He even asks Rocky if he can move back in, showing how lost he is without Adrian.
Why Was This Scene Cut?
So why didn’t this make the final version of Rocky Balboa?
Officially, some scenes were removed for pacing reasons. But Burt Young himself, in an interview with Adam Lupis, hinted that some of the cuts were a mistake: “We had some editors who took cuts—cutting it—that shouldn’t have been left out.”
And he’s right. This scene wasn’t just filler—it was a moment that gave Paulie’s character a depth we rarely saw.
In the theatrical version, Paulie mostly comes across as cranky and dismissive. He doesn’t want to relive old memories, and when Rocky takes him on a nostalgia tour of Philly, he’s irritated. This deleted scene explains why—the past is painful for Paulie, not because he doesn’t care, but because he knows he screwed up.
It adds so much to his arc, especially when you consider his history:
- In Rocky, he was verbally abusive to Adrian, constantly tearing her down.
- In Rocky II, his outburst even contributed to her premature labor and coma.
- In Rocky V, he lost all of Rocky’s money by signing over power of attorney to a corrupt lawyer.
This scene gives us something we never got before—a genuine moment of regret.
Where to Watch the Deleted Scenes
Luckily, you don’t have to just read about this scene—you can actually see it for yourself. The Rocky Balboa Blu-ray includes all the deleted scenes, including this incredible moment with Paulie.
If you’re a Rocky fan, it’s absolutely worth checking out. Not only does it give us a deeper look at Paulie, but it rounds out Rocky Balboa in a way that makes the story even richer.
Final Thoughts: Paulie’s Redemption Arc
Paulie was never an easy character to love. He was selfish, rude, and often treated the people who cared about him like garbage. But deep down? He loved Adrian. He idolized Rocky. He just didn’t know how to show it.
This deleted scene from Rocky Balboa finally gives us a look at Paulie’s human side. It’s not just a moment of weakness—it’s a moment of truth.
And in a series that’s always been about heart, that’s exactly the kind of scene that should’ve stayed in the final cut.
