Sylvester Stallone, the iconic actor known for his tough roles, had a challenging childhood marked by relentless bullying. Born on July 6, 1946, Stallone faced a traumatic delivery that resulted in a facial nerve injury and a speech impediment. He endured taunts and mockery at school, suffering both physically and emotionally.
At the age of 13, Stallone found inspiration in the movie “Hercules Unchained,” starring Steve Reeves. This encounter with the muscular actor sparked a desire in Stallone to pursue a similar path. He transformed himself into a workout enthusiast, using homemade gym equipment and dedicating himself to weightlifting.
Stallone’s journey to fame and fortune was far from easy. When he arrived in New York in 1969, he faced numerous hardships, including sleeping on a bus station bench for nearly two weeks. He even took on the job of shoveling lion dung at the Central Park Zoo, earning a meager wage of $1.12 per hour. The experience was far from glamorous, as Stallone endured not only the smell but also occasional lion urine incidents that left a lasting impression.
While Stallone initially thought experimental theater would be his artistic path, his involvement in a play called “Desire Caught by the Tail” turned out to be a disaster. The play, written by Pablo Picasso in 1941, was poorly received due to its lack of plot and absurd characters. Stallone described the experience as dreadful, wearing a costume that included red horns, a fright wig, and a large fake penis.
Stallone’s perseverance and willingness to take on any role led him to a breakthrough opportunity when Woody Allen initially dismissed him as not intimidating enough to play a mugger in the film “Bananas.” Stallone and a friend went to great lengths to change Allen’s mind, applying soot to their faces and Vaseline to their hair to create a more menacing appearance. Their efforts paid off, securing them roles in the movie.
Despite facing numerous rejections, Stallone continued to pursue his passion for acting and writing. He experimented with various offbeat ideas for scripts, often under pen names like Q. Moonblood and J.J. Deadlock. Eventually, he focused on developing a screenplay for what would become the iconic film “Rocky.” Inspired by real-life boxer Chuck Wepner, Stallone created the character of Rocky Balboa, a fighter surrounded by a corrupt environment.
Sylvester Stallone’s resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to his craft led him from a bullied child to a Hollywood superstar. His journey serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the ability to overcome obstacles. Stallone’s story is a reminder that success is not always immediate or easy, but with passion and tenacity, one can achieve their dreams.
In an unexpected turn of events, Netflix has announced a documentary about the legendary actor Sylvester Stallone, titled “Sly.” While Netflix already has Arnold Schwarzenegger as its Chief Action Officer and several projects featuring him, it seems they are secretly exploring the life of Stallone as well. The teaser trailer for the documentary has been released, offering a glimpse into Stallone’s reflective journey.
“Sly” promises to provide an intimate and introspective look at Stallone’s life, including his regrets and triumphs. The documentary will parallel his inspirational underdog story with the iconic characters he has brought to life on screen. Directed by Thom Zimny, known for his work on music documentaries, “Sly” is set to premiere on Netflix in November.
Sources:
- https://nypost.com/2023/07/01/sylvester-stallone-stories-before-becoming-rocky-star/amp/ [New York Post]
- https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a44413096/sylvester-stallone-netflix-documentary-trailer/ [Digital Spy]
