Photo: StudioCanal/Shutterstock
Sylvester Stallone, whose birth name is Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone, was born in New York City on July 6, 1946. While he grew up in Manhattan, he attended high school in Philadelphia.He discovered a passion for acting during his two yearsstudying abroad at the American College of Switzerlandfrom 1965 to June 1967, prompting him to then study drama at the University of Miami from 1967 to 1969. A few credits short of graduating, he moved back to N.Y.C. wherehe struggled to find work.However, once he did, his star never stopped rising. Here, on his 77th birthday, celebrate the iconic actor’s life in photos.
Sylvester Stallone, whose birth name is Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone, was born in New York City on July 6, 1946. While he grew up in Manhattan, he attended high school in Philadelphia.
He discovered a passion for acting during his two yearsstudying abroad at the American College of Switzerlandfrom 1965 to June 1967, prompting him to then study drama at the University of Miami from 1967 to 1969. A few credits short of graduating, he moved back to N.Y.C. wherehe struggled to find work.
However, once he did, his star never stopped rising. Here, on his 77th birthday, celebrate the iconic actor’s life in photos.
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Sylvester Stallone’s Early Life
Sylvester Stallone/Facebook
Stallone’s first on-screen gig was 1970’s adult film The Party at Kitty and Stud’s, in which he was underpaid and found himself homeless. Though nothing was ever done with the film at the time, it was renamed and released asItalian Stallionseveral years later.
“It was either do that movie or rob someone, because I was at the end —theveryend — of my rope,” he added. “Instead of doing something desperate, I worked two days for $200 and got myself out of the bus station.”
02of 13Sylvester Stallone’s First Starring RoleSunset Boulevard/Corbis via GettyHis little stints in theater helped him get the attention of casting directors, leading to his first starring role in 1974’s The Lords of Flatbush, a dramedy about Brooklyn teenagers set in the 1950s.Though the independent film was extremely low-budget, it gave Stallone and costarHenry Winklera valuable opportunity before their breakout roles asRocky Balboaand “The Fonz,” respectively.
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Sylvester Stallone’s First Starring Role
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His little stints in theater helped him get the attention of casting directors, leading to his first starring role in 1974’s The Lords of Flatbush, a dramedy about Brooklyn teenagers set in the 1950s.
Though the independent film was extremely low-budget, it gave Stallone and costarHenry Winklera valuable opportunity before their breakout roles asRocky Balboaand “The Fonz,” respectively.
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Sylvester Stallone’s ‘Rocky’ Success
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After finding inspiration from the championship match betweenMuhammad Aliand Chuck Wepner on March 24, 1975, Stallone wrote the screenplay for what became the highest-grossing film of 1976:Rocky.
04of 13Sylvester Stallone’s First Academy Award NominationRon Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyAfterRockydebuted in 1976, nonstop critical acclaim, accolades, and rave reviews followed. Stallone’s work on the mega blockbuster earned him his first twoAcademy Awardnominations: one for Best Actor and one for Best Screenplay.The film itself received 10 nods and won three including Best Picture and Best Director. It also won best picture at theGolden Globesand received aGrammynomination for best score soundtrack for visual media.
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Sylvester Stallone’s First Academy Award Nomination
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AfterRockydebuted in 1976, nonstop critical acclaim, accolades, and rave reviews followed. Stallone’s work on the mega blockbuster earned him his first twoAcademy Awardnominations: one for Best Actor and one for Best Screenplay.
The film itself received 10 nods and won three including Best Picture and Best Director. It also won best picture at theGolden Globesand received aGrammynomination for best score soundtrack for visual media.
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Sylvester Stallone’s Directorial Debut
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The following year, Stallone made his directorial debut with 1978’s dramaParadise Alley. Taking on an athlete of a different sport, the actor played one of three brothers who get involved with professional wrestling.
06of 13Sylvester Stallone’s ‘First Blood’ RoleStudioCanal/ShutterstockStallone starred in and co-wrote 1982’sFirst Blood, another smash hit followingRocky Balboa. Playing Vietnam veteran John Rambo, a former Green Beret, Stallone saw critical and box office success for his role.As a result,First Bloodspawnedfour followup filmscentered around Stallone’s character.Rambo: Last Bloodwas the final feature in the franchise, which premiered in 2019.
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Sylvester Stallone’s ‘First Blood’ Role
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Stallone starred in and co-wrote 1982’sFirst Blood, another smash hit followingRocky Balboa. Playing Vietnam veteran John Rambo, a former Green Beret, Stallone saw critical and box office success for his role.
As a result,First Bloodspawnedfour followup filmscentered around Stallone’s character.Rambo: Last Bloodwas the final feature in the franchise, which premiered in 2019.
07of 13Sylvester Stallone’s Star on the Hollywood Walk of FameSylvester Stallone/FacebookStallone was honored with a prestigious star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on June 14, 1984. The actor was inducted alongside country music legend and former costarDolly Parton.The two took the lead in 1984’s Rhinestone, a film that chronicles a country music singer (Parton) and her pursuit to turn the next person she sees into a Nashville-style crooner — that person being Stallone’s character, a tough New Yorker who can’t sing a note.
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Sylvester Stallone’s Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Stallone was honored with a prestigious star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on June 14, 1984. The actor was inducted alongside country music legend and former costarDolly Parton.
The two took the lead in 1984’s Rhinestone, a film that chronicles a country music singer (Parton) and her pursuit to turn the next person she sees into a Nashville-style crooner — that person being Stallone’s character, a tough New Yorker who can’t sing a note.
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Sylvester Stallone’s Comeback Hits
While Stallone continued his success with theRockyandRambofranchises over the years, he landed roles in other well-received titles like 1986’sCobraand 1989’sTango & Cash.
He eventually made a comeback with 1993’s action thrillerCliffhangerandDemolitionManlater that year. In 1994, he continued his string of hits withThe SpecialistandAssassinsin 1995.
09of 13Sylvester Stallone’s WWE Hall of Fame HonorChris Farina/Corbis via GettyStallone stepped into the spotlight in a different way when he became a co-announcer of NBC’s reality boxing series,The Contender, alongsideSugar Ray Leonardin 2005.That same year, he had the honor of inducting pro wresterHulk Hoganinto the WWE Hall of Fame. In fact, the actor offered Hogan the opportunity for a cameo inRocky III, in which he played a wrestler named Thunderlips.
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Sylvester Stallone’s WWE Hall of Fame Honor
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Stallone stepped into the spotlight in a different way when he became a co-announcer of NBC’s reality boxing series,The Contender, alongsideSugar Ray Leonardin 2005.
That same year, he had the honor of inducting pro wresterHulk Hoganinto the WWE Hall of Fame. In fact, the actor offered Hogan the opportunity for a cameo inRocky III, in which he played a wrestler named Thunderlips.
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Sylvester Stallone’s ‘Rocky’ Spinoff
In addition tothe fiveRockysequels, the franchise has continued on with multiple spinoff films in recent years.
In 2015,Creedpremiered starringMichael B. Jordanas the late former heavyweight champion Apollo Creed’s son. The picture chronicles the aspiring professional boxer as he strives to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Stallone revives his character as Rocky, whom Jordan’s character confides in as his personal trainer. Stallone received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his work.
Creed II, a sequel to the film was released in 2018, andCreed IIIpremiered earlier in 2023.
11of 13Sylvester Stallone’s Golden Globe WinPaul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via GettyStallone took home best supporting actor for his role as Rocky Balboa inCreedat the 73rd annual Golden Globes in 2016. This marked the first-ever Golden Globe win for the actor.Receiving a standing ovation from the crowd, the actor told his peers: “Please, thank you! I’m going to try not to get emotional because I am the sum total of everyone I’ve ever met.““The last time I was here, it was 1977,” said Stallone of his previous two nominations.He wrapped his speech: “Most of all, I want to thank my imaginary friend Rocky Balboa for being the best friend I ever had.”
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Sylvester Stallone’s Golden Globe Win
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Stallone took home best supporting actor for his role as Rocky Balboa inCreedat the 73rd annual Golden Globes in 2016. This marked the first-ever Golden Globe win for the actor.
Receiving a standing ovation from the crowd, the actor told his peers: “Please, thank you! I’m going to try not to get emotional because I am the sum total of everyone I’ve ever met.”
“The last time I was here, it was 1977,” said Stallone of his previous two nominations.
He wrapped his speech: “Most of all, I want to thank my imaginary friend Rocky Balboa for being the best friend I ever had.”
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Karwai Tang/WireImage
13of 13Sylvester Stallone’s Personal LifeStallone has been married three times and is thefather of five.He first wedSasha Czackin 1974 and had two sons:Sage Moonbloodin 1976 andSeargeohin 1979. The couple divorced in 1985.Stallone then tied the knot with model and actressBrigitte Nielsenin 1985, before splitting two years later.He wed Jennifer Flavinin 1997, with whom he shares three daughters:Sophia,Sistine, andScarlet(pictured).After 10 years of marriage, Stallone and Flavin briefly broke up in 1985, but reconciled in 1995. In May 2022, they celebratedtheir 25th wedding anniversary.In the spring, the familydebuted a reality show about their life,The Family Stallone.
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Sylvester Stallone’s Personal Life
Stallone has been married three times and is thefather of five.
He first wedSasha Czackin 1974 and had two sons:Sage Moonbloodin 1976 andSeargeohin 1979. The couple divorced in 1985.
Stallone then tied the knot with model and actressBrigitte Nielsenin 1985, before splitting two years later.
He wed Jennifer Flavinin 1997, with whom he shares three daughters:Sophia,Sistine, andScarlet(pictured).
After 10 years of marriage, Stallone and Flavin briefly broke up in 1985, but reconciled in 1995. In May 2022, they celebratedtheir 25th wedding anniversary.
In the spring, the familydebuted a reality show about their life,The Family Stallone.
source: people.com
