Sylvester Stallone

I wrote this article just a day after learning of the passing of actor Tony Burton.  In the legendary Rocky films, Burton played Tony 'Duke' Evers the trainer of Apollo Creed and later Rocky Balboa.  I also write this article just a day before the 88th Academy Awards and two days after the 52nd anniversary of Cassius Clay, Muhammad Ali, dethroning world heavyweight boxing champion Sonny Liston.  Sylvester Stallone has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Creed.  This is an offshoot of the "Rocky" films which, along with the "Rambo"

films, made Stallone a household name.  Sly, as he is called by some, is a cultural icon and has achieved worldwide success.  However, Stallone's rise to the top was far from easy. In addition, he has dealt with many lows in his personal life.  The purpose of this 'Overcoming the Odd's' article is to display not only the ways in which an actor overcame personal odds, but also to signify to readers that it is never too late in life to achieve a reasonable dream if you commit yourself.

It was Hollywood in 1975.  In just a year, actor Sylvester Stallone, would be the talk of the town with the premiere of Rocky.  At the time, however, Stallone was a 29-year-old struggling actor facing many personal and financial dilemmas.  Not only was his wife six months pregnant, Stallone only had $106 in the bank and his dog, Butkus, was starving.  Stallone was pressured by his wife to give in and take a regular job.  However, deep inside his heart, Stallone knew he couldn't give up trying to fulfill his dreams.  Even though taking up a regular job would help him pay the rent and get ready to support his child, Stallone could not give up what was in his heart.  After selling some his wife's jewelry, Stallone made a last ditch effort that was one of the hardest things any person could do.  He sold his dog, Butkis, for $50.00 outside of a liquor store.  Stallone has admitted this was one of the lowest points for him as he loved his dog. However, it would become an underdog story, no pun intended, that would even eclipse the character of Rocky Balboa in his next film.  Stallone had witnessed little known club fighter Chuck Webner go 15 rounds with Muhammad Ali in Ohio.  This inspired Stallone to write the script for Rocky.  Indeed, Sly's script would begin to garner much attention.  The bidding on it reached $265,000.  The problem was that the studios wanted James Caan or Ryan O'Neal to play Rocky Balboa while Sly insisted he play the character himself.  Sly was refusing the money in order to play the character himself.  He was risking everything.  Eventually, the producers settled on a less lucrative deal which allowed Stallone to play Rocky Balboa.  The rest they say is history.  1976's Rocky ended up winning three Oscars and grossed $225 million worldwide.  It also spawned five sequels as well as a spinoff in that of 2015's Creed.  

Sylvester Stallone's success would continue throughout the next three and a half decades with dozens of films such as First Blood, Cliffhanger, Copland and The Expendables.  Of course, even with money and success, Stallone would face other odds he had to overcome.  He would go through failed marriages as well as fluctuations of popularity.  In 2012, Stallone's son, Sage, whom starred in Rocky 5, passed away.  As one can imagine, losing a child has to be one of the most distinctive things a human being can go through.  Sylvester Stallone took home a Golden Globe for Creed in January of 2016 and paid tribute to his son.  Tomorrow, we will see if Sly takes home an Oscar like he Rocky did 40 years ago.  Interestingly, this is Stallone's first Oscar nomination since the film. 

Sylvester Stallone Overcame the Odds of possibly not succeeding and living his dreams.  He sacrificed his time and took a huge financial risk to become a worldwide icon.  At nearly 70 years of age, he continues to influence people such as my myself with his dedication to physical fitness.  Sylvester Stallone, there will never be another. He showed it's never too late in life to achieve your dreams.  Most importantly, Stallone proved a 5 foot 10 175 lb. actor could portray a character that was larger than life!!!


(Facts taken from article written by Sean Braswell "Stallone's Rocky Start" on ozy.com and Wikepedia)