19
The Original “Rocky Balboa” Ending
Sylvester Stallone’s return to the “Rocky” franchise in 2006’s “Rocky Balboa” was a smash hit with fans of the franchise, with many considering it a return to form after the lackluster “Rocky 4”. What some fans might not know is that there was an alternate ending where Rocky was supposed to win the bout against Mason Dixon. This ending was even filmed and there are unedited cuts of it online, but ultimately it was decided that Rocky should lose his return bout.
18
Donald Trump Picked Him For An Executive Role
Stallone has known President Donald Trump for a long time. While the Italian Stallion says that he isn’t political this didn’t stop the president from offering Stallone a position in his office as chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. Stallone was flattered but denied the role.
17
He Never Received Licensing Revenue For “Rocky”
The “Rocky” franchise is 100% the brainchild of Sylvester Stallone. Sly wrote the character at the lowest point in his life and would only give the script and rights to make the film, if the producers cast him as the titular character. In order for this to happen, he had to forego any revenue payments that the movies would receive and only get paid for any jobs done on set. While he agreed to this many decades ago, it still bothers him to this day.
16
The Reason Behind His Unique Look And Voice
Stallone’s signature facial features and voice are so distinct that almost anyone who heard his voice would recognize it instantly. While it’s one of his most known features, many people don’t know the sad reason why this is the case. Sylvester Stallone’s slurred speech impediment is the result of an accident at birth. This unfortunate accident left his face partially paralyzed.
15
His Appearance In An Adult Film
For most of Stallone’s early career, he was dirt poor. This lead to him taking a lot of jobs that he wished he didn’t have to. In 1970, Stallone debut in the world of film with a softcore adult film where he spent two days filming and was paid 200 dollars.
14
He Was Expelled Multiple Times
Stallone’s childhood was, to put it nicely, less than ideal and definitely not perfect. Stallone’s troubling life which made him quite anti-social and adverse to authority figures. This would get him into a lot of fights, leading him to be expelled from 14 different schools at the young age of 13.
13
How He Created The Character Of Apollo Creed
The sequel series to the “Rocky” franchise, “Creed” has been a smash hit with audiences. Following the story of Adonis Creed, the son of Apollo, who Rocky fought in his first two films, but just how did Stallone come up with the character of Creed. Well after seeing the match between Muhammad Ali and Chuck Wepner, Stallone based Creed off of Ali and Rocky off of Wepner, due to the Challenger’s heart and Ali’s larger-than-life persona.
12
His Feud With Arnold Schwarzenegger
In the 80s action movie scene, there were no two bigger stars than Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. The two were megastars and were getting offers to be in every role possible. This lead to the two competing for roles against each other, with Stallone saying that at the time he wanted to kill Arnold.
11
His Failed Supplement Business
Stallone, being a man of many talents, wanted to reach outside of the acting world, so he started a supplement company called Instone. It had boosters for energy and testosterone and also had food like protein pudding and protein shakes. But it must not have gone well, as the company has been shut down.
10
Dolph Lundgren Sending Him To The Hospital
While on set for “Rocky 4” Stallone and Lundgren were known to spar in order to get a better feel for each when they were filming. In one of these sessions, Lundgren hit Stallone so hard in the body that he actually needed to go to the hospital. When Stallone applied for insurance benefits he was originally denied because the company thought that Stallone was hit by a truck, not a person.
9
Getting Dropped By Ernie Shavers
It seems that Stallone has a bit of bad luck on the set of Rocky Movies. Stallone originally wanted the Villain of “Rocky 3” to be played by professional boxer Ernie Shavers. Shavers, being known for his power punching was asked by Sly to hit him in the chest. After some hesitation, he dropped Stallone, who ended up squealing in pain. After this, Stallone decided that Mr.T would be better for the role.
8
His Time In Foster Care
Up until he was about five, Stallone spent a lot of time in the foster system. His parents fought a lot and ignored Stallone and his brother. He’s said that his attempts to get his many foster parents to show affection towards him was one reason he got into acting.
7
He Was Homeless
Remember the entry on Sly’s experience with the Adult film industry, well it was role he couldn’t refuse, for monetary reasons. At the time Stallone was homeless and sleeping at the New York City Port Authority bus terminal for three weeks. He saw the casting notice and went for it. “It was either do that movie or rob someone, because I was at the end, the very end of my rope.”
6
He Sold His Dog
Poverty can force people to do crazy, irrational and downright painful things to not only other people but also themselves. When Stallone was in desperate need of some cash he sold his beloved dog for $25. After the smash hit of “Rocky” he immediately went to the pound and bought his dog back.
5
He Broke His Neck On Set
Stallone’s back luck on movie sets isn’t just in the “Rocky” franchise, as it seems that it extends to the expendables series and also his neck. The 63-year-old said a fight scene with the wrestling star Stone Cold Steve Austin became so vicious that he needed an operation for a hairline fracture and had a metal plate inserted in his neck.
4
He Jumped Out Of A Window As A Kid
Stallone was a huge fan of superheroes when he was a kid and always wanted to become one when he grew up. One day he may have taken this fascination with superheroes a bit too far though. A young Stallone decided to attempt to fly by jumping out of a window with an umbrella to slow his fall, but instead, he landed hard and broke his collar bone.
3
Steroid Use
Stallone has always been one of the most jacked actors. with a physique well known for how chiseled it is, it’s no wonder he tries to keep it so late in his career and life. Stallone has been stopped at many different airports for bringing Human Growth Hormone and Anabolic steroids with him without a prescription, which has lead to him getting some costly fines.
2
He Was Tricked Into Taking A Role
During the prime of the aforementioned Stallone-Arnold feud, both of them were trying to get in as many big-budget Hollywood movies to show up the other. Arnold, well known for his cunning pranks and tricks, decided to call Stallone about a movie that he knew was going to bomb and tell him he was thinking about doing it. This caused Stallone to immediately ask for the role, landing him in the legendary flop, Stop Or My Mom Will Shoot.
1
Charging For Autographs
Stallone is by all measures a megastar in the world – anywhere he goes people will follow and he gets paid thousands just to make an appearance. While it’s obvious that Stallone’s time is precious, it’s a little shady how he reportedly charges $395 for an autograph and $445 for a photograph with him.
