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IMDbPro

Sylvester Stallone

  • Actor
  • Writer
  • Producer
IMDbProStarmeter9425
Sylvester Stallone at an event for Iron Man 2 (2010)
Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, and Dolph Lundgren save the world one last time in September 2023. On this fourth mission, the Expendables (or Expend4bles) must stop a nuclear war.

This time, the elite mercenaries have Megan Fox, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Andy Garcia, and Tony Jaa in their corner, while martial artist Iko Uwais ('The Raid: Redemption,' 'Snake Eyes') menaces the mercenaries' every move.

Pierce Brosnan, Jack Nicholson, and Clint Eastwood were all considered for the lead villain role. Dwayne Johnson pitched himself for the part in 2014 and once more in 2022. Stallone plans to make this the final time he plays team leader Barney Ross. Statham, who plays Lee Christmas, takes the reins of the franchise, producing the fourth film in Stallone's stead.

There is still a TV series spin-off in the works, as well as a Bollywood remake and a comic book set in the underworld. 'The Expendabelles' film was shelved in favor of adding more women to the franchise instead of creating a separate team. Scott Waugh ('Need for Speed') directs the script from Max Adams ("The Terminal List") and Spenser Cohen ('Moonfall'). The $100 million action extravaganza explodes into theaters on September 22, 2023.
Play clip1:38
All About 'The Expendables 4'
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Sylvester Stallone is an athletically built, dark-haired American actor/screenwriter/director/producer, the movie fans worldwide have been flocking to see Stallone's films for over 40 years, making "Sly" one of Hollywood's biggest-ever box office draws.

Sylvester Stallone was born on July 6, 1946, in New York's gritty Hell's Kitchen, to Jackie Stallone (née Labofish), an astrologer, and Frank Stallone, a beautician and hairdresser. His father was an Italian immigrant, and his mother's heritage is half French (from Brittany) and half German. The young Stallone attended the American College of Switzerland and The University of Miami, eventually obtaining a B.A. degree. Initially, he struggled in small parts in films such as the soft-core The Party at Kitty and Stud's (1970), the thriller Klute (1971) and the comedy Bananas (1971). He got a crucial career break alongside fellow young actor Henry Winkler, sharing lead billing in the effectively written teen gang film The Lords of Flatbush (1974). Further film and television roles followed, most of them in uninspiring productions except for the opportunity to play a megalomaniac, bloodthirsty race driver named "Machine Gun Joe Viterbo" in the Roger Corman-produced Death Race 2000 (1975). However, Stallone was also keen to be recognized as a screenwriter, not just an actor, and, inspired by the 1975 Muhammad Ali-Chuck Wepner fight in Cleveland, Stallone wrote a film script about a nobody fighter given the "million to one opportunity" to challenge for the heavyweight title. Rocky (1976) became the stuff of cinematic legends, scoring ten Academy Award nominations, winning the Best Picture Award of 1976 and triggering one of the most financially successful movie series in history! Whilst full credit is wholly deserved by Stallone, he was duly supported by tremendous acting from fellow cast members Talia Shire, Burgess Meredith and Burt Young, and director John G. Avildsen gave the film an emotive, earthy appeal from start to finish. Stallone had truly arrived on his terms, and offers poured in from various studios eager to secure Hollywood's hottest new star.

Stallone followed Rocky (1976) with F.I.S.T. (1978), loosely based on the life of Teamsters boss "Jimmy Hoffa", and Paradise Alley (1978) before pulling on the boxing gloves again to resurrect Rocky Balboa in the sequel Rocky II (1979). The second outing for the "Italian Stallion" wasn't as powerful or successful as the first "Rocky", however, it still produced strong box office. Subsequent films Nighthawks (1981) and Victory (1981) failed to ignite with audiences, so Stallone was once again lured back to familiar territory with Rocky III (1982) and a fearsome opponent in "Clubber Lang" played by muscular ex-bodyguard Mr. T. The third "Rocky" installment far outperformed the first sequel in box office takings, but Stallone retired his prizefighter for a couple of years as another series was about to commence for the busy actor.

The character of Green Beret "John Rambo" was the creation of Canadian-born writer David Morrell, and his novel was adapted to the screen with Stallone in the lead role in First Blood (1982), also starring Richard Crenna and Brian Dennehy. The movie was a surprise hit that polarized audiences because of its commentary about the Vietnam war, which was still relatively fresh in the American public's psyche. Political viewpoints aside, the film was a worldwide smash, and a sequel soon followed with Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), which drew even stronger criticism from several quarters owing to the film's plot line about American MIAs allegedly being held in Vietnam. But they say there is no such thing as bad publicity, and "John Rambo's" second adventure was a major money spinner for Stallone and cemented him as one of the top male stars of the 1980s. Riding a wave of amazing popularity, Stallone called on old sparring partner Rocky Balboa to climb back into the ring to defend American pride against a Soviet threat in the form of a towering Russian boxer named "Ivan Drago" played by curt Dolph Lundgren in Rocky IV (1985). The fourth outing was somewhat controversial with "Rocky" fans, as violence levels seemed excessive compared to previous "Rocky" films, especially with the savage beating suffered by Apollo Creed, played by Carl Weathers, at the hands of the unstoppable "Siberian Express".

Stallone continued forward with a slew of macho character-themed films that met with a mixed reception from his fans. Cobra (1986) was a clumsy mess, Over the Top (1987) was equally mediocre, Rambo III (1988) saw Rambo take on the Russians in Afghanistan, and cop buddy film Tango & Cash (1989) just did not quite hit the mark, although it did feature a top-notch cast and there was chemistry between Stallone and co-star Kurt Russell.

Philadelphia's favorite mythical boxer moved out of the shadows for his fifth screen outing in Rocky V (1990) tackling Tommy "Machine" Gunn played by real-life heavyweight fighter Tommy Morrison, the great-nephew of screen legend John Wayne. Sly quickly followed with the lukewarm comedy Oscar (1991), the painfully unfunny Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992), the futuristic action film Demolition Man (1993), and the comic book-inspired Judge Dredd (1995). Interestingly, Stallone then took a departure from the gung-ho steely characters he had been portraying to stack on a few extra pounds and tackle a more dramatically challenging role in the intriguing Cop Land (1997), also starring Robert De Niro and Ray Liotta. It isn't a classic of the genre, but Cop Land (1997) certainly surprised many critics with Stallone's understated performance. Stallone then lent his vocal talents to the animated adventure story Antz (1998), reprised the role made famous by Michael Caine in a terrible remake of Get Carter (2000), climbed back into a race car for Driven (2001), and guest-starred as the "Toymaker" in the third chapter of the immensely popular "Spy Kids" film series, Spy Kids 3: Game Over (2003). Showing that age had not wearied his two most popular series, Stallone has most recently brought back never-say-die boxer Rocky Balboa to star in, well, what else but Rocky Balboa (2006), and Vietnam veteran Rambo (2008) will reappear after a 20-year hiatus to once again right wrongs in the jungles of Thailand.

Love him or loathe him, Sylvester Stallone has built an enviable and highly respected career in Hollywood, plus, he has considerably influenced modern popular culture through several of his iconic film characters.
BornJuly 6, 1946
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornJuly 6, 1946
IMDbProStarmeter9425
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
  • Nominated for 3 Oscars
    • 65 wins & 74 nominations total

Sylvester Stallone's Most Iconic Roles

Sylvester Stallone's Most Iconic Roles

We're celebrating the iconic Sylvester Stallone with a look back at some of his most indelible film performances, from Rocky and Rambo, to Joe in the new superhero movie Samaritan.
See the full gallery
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Photos

Photos1458

Sylvester Stallone in Tango & Cash (1989)
Sylvester Stallone in Tango & Cash (1989)
Sylvester Stallone and George P. Cosmatos in Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
Sylvester Stallone and David Morrell in First Blood (1982)
Sylvester Stallone and David Morrell in First Blood (1982)
Sylvester Stallone and David Morrell in First Blood (1982)
Sylvester Stallone and David Morrell in First Blood (1982)
Sylvester Stallone and Brian Dennehy in First Blood (1982)
Sylvester Stallone in First Blood (1982)
Sylvester Stallone in First Blood (1982)
Sylvester Stallone and David Caruso in First Blood (1982)
Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, and David Morrell in First Blood (1982)

Known for

Sylvester Stallone and Talia Shire in Rocky (1976)
Rocky
8.1
  • Rocky
  • 1976
Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan in Creed (2015)
Creed
7.6
  • Rocky Balboa
  • 2015
Sylvester Stallone, Tony Burton, and Burt Young in Rocky IV (1985)
Rocky IV
6.9
  • Rocky Balboa
  • 1985
Sylvester Stallone in Rocky III (1982)
Rocky III
6.8
  • Rocky Balboa
  • 1982

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Actor

  • The Expendables 4
    • Barney Ross
    • Post-production
    • 2023
  • Cliffhanger
    • Gabe Walker
    • Pre-production
  • Never Too Old to Die
    • Pre-production
  • Little America
    • Pre-production
  • Hunter
    • Nathaniel Hunter
    • Pre-production
  • Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Sean Gunn, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, and Maria Bakalova in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
    Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
    • Stakar Ogord
    • 2023
  • Sylvester Stallone in Tulsa King (2022)
    Tulsa King
    • Dwight 'The General' Manfredi
    • TV Series
    • 2022–2023
  • Sylvester Stallone in Samaritan (2022)
    Samaritan
    • Joe
    • 2022
  • Sylvester Stallone, Peter Capaldi, Pete Davidson, Idris Elba, Nathan Fillion, Sean Gunn, Michael Rooker, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Jai Courtney, David Dastmalchian, Flula Borg, Margot Robbie, Mayling Ng, and Daniela Melchior in The Suicide Squad (2021)
    The Suicide Squad
    • King Shark (voice)
    • 2021
  • Jeffrey Mowery in Facebook: Groups - Ready to Rock? - 2020 Super Bowl Commercial (2020)
    Facebook: Groups - Ready to Rock? - 2020 Super Bowl Commercial
    • Rocky
    • Short
    • 2020
  • Sylvester Stallone in Rambo: Last Blood (2019)
    Rambo: Last Blood
    • John Rambo
    • 2019
  • Sylvester Stallone in Rallying Cry (2019)
    Rallying Cry
    • Jasper Reese
    • Short
    • 2019
  • Sylvester Stallone, Dave Bautista, and Melise in Escape Plan: The Extractors (2019)
    Escape Plan: The Extractors
    • Ray Breslin
    • 2019
  • Mortal Kombat 11 (2019)
    Mortal Kombat 11
    • John Rambo (voice)
    • Video Game
    • 2019
  • Sylvester Stallone, Matthew Modine, Christopher McDonald, Colin Egglesfield, Swen Temmel, and Sergio Rizzuto in Backtrace (2018)
    Backtrace
    • Det. Sykes
    • 2018
  • Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan in Creed II (2018)
    Creed II
    • Rocky Balboa
    • 2018
  • Sylvester Stallone and Dave Bautista in Escape Plan 2: Hades (2018)
    Escape Plan 2: Hades
    • Ray Breslin
    • 2018
  • Animal Crackers (2017)
    Animal Crackers
    • Bulletman (voice)
    • 2017
  • Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Chris Pratt, Michael Rooker, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, and Pom Klementieff in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
    Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
    • Stakar Ogord
    • 2017
  • Ratchet & Clank (2016)
    Ratchet & Clank
    • Victor (voice)
    • 2016

Writer

  • Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors in Creed III (2023)
    Creed III
    • based on characters created by
    • 2023
  • Sylvester Stallone in Rambo: Last Blood (2019)
    Rambo: Last Blood
    • screenplay by
    • story by
    • 2019
  • Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan in Creed II (2018)
    Creed II
    • based on characters created by
    • screenplay by
    • 2018
  • Ultimate Beastmaster (2017)
    Ultimate Beastmaster
    • created by (creator)
    • TV Series
    • 2017–2018
  • Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan in Creed (2015)
    Creed
    • based on characters created by
    • dialogue
    • screenplay editor
    • 2015
  • The Expendables 3: Extended Cut Scenes (2014)
    The Expendables 3: Extended Cut Scenes
    • story by
    • Video
    • 2014
  • First Blood: Alternate Ending (2014)
    First Blood: Alternate Ending
    • screenplay by
    • Video
    • 2014
  • First Blood: Deleted Scenes: Dream in Saigon (2014)
    First Blood: Deleted Scenes: Dream in Saigon
    • screenplay by
    • Video
    • 2014
  • Antonio Banderas, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Dolph Lundgren, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, Kelsey Grammer, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Glen Powell, Kellan Lutz, Ronda Rousey, and Victor Ortiz in The Expendables 3 (2014)
    The Expendables 3
    • screenplay by
    • story by
    • 2014
  • Jason Statham, James Franco, and Izabela Vidovic in Homefront (2013)
    Homefront
    • screenplay by
    • 2013
  • Rocky 3 in the Playroom
    • characters
    • story (uncredited)
    • Video
    • 2012
  • Dolph Lundgren, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, Jet Li, Chuck Norris, Jason Statham, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, and Liam Hemsworth in The Expendables 2 (2012)
    The Expendables 2
    • screenplay
    • 2012
  • The Expendables: Extended Cut Scenes (2011)
    The Expendables: Extended Cut Scenes
    • screenplay
    • Video
    • 2011
  • Dolph Lundgren, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Steve Austin, Terry Crews, and Randy Couture in The Expendables (2010)
    The Expendables
    • screenplay
    • 2010
  • Rambo: Extended Cut Scenes (2010)
    Rambo: Extended Cut Scenes
    • written by
    • Video
    • 2010

Producer

  • Punk
    • executive producer
    • Pre-production
  • The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil remake
    • producer
    • In Development
  • Plan B
    • producer
    • In Development
  • Giant
    • executive producer
    • Pre-production
  • Never Too Old to Die
    • producer
    • Pre-production
  • My Masterpiece
    • producer
    • Pre-production
  • Tough As They Come
    • producer
    • In Development
  • Street Justice
    • executive producer
    • Pre-production
  • Hunter
    • executive producer
    • Pre-production
  • Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors in Creed III (2023)
    Creed III
    • producer
    • 2023
  • Sylvester Stallone in Tulsa King (2022)
    Tulsa King
    • executive producer
    • TV Series
    • 2022–2023
  • Mo McRae and Nate Boyer in MVP (2022)
    MVP
    • executive producer
    • 2022
  • Sylvester Stallone in Samaritan (2022)
    Samaritan
    • producer (produced by, p.g.a.)
    • 2022
  • The Making of 'Rocky vs. Drago' (2021)
    The Making of 'Rocky vs. Drago'
    • producer
    • 2021
  • Sylvester Stallone, Andy Ruiz Jr., and Anthony Joshua in One Night: Joshua vs. Ruiz (2019)
    One Night: Joshua vs. Ruiz
    • executive producer
    • 2019
  • Ma Dong-seok and Mu-Yeol Kim in The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil (2019)
    The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil
    • producer
    • 2019
  • Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan in Creed II (2018)
    Creed II
    • producer (produced by, p.g.a.)
    • 2018
  • Ultimate Beastmaster (2017)
    Ultimate Beastmaster
    • producer
    • executive producer
    • TV Series
    • 2017
  • S.T.R.O.N.G. (2016)
    S.T.R.O.N.G.
    • executive producer
    • TV Series
    • 2016
  • Gabrielle Reece in S.T.R.O.N.G. (2016)
    S.T.R.O.N.G.
    • executive producer
    • TV Series
    • 2016
  • Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan in Creed (2015)
    Creed
    • producer
    • 2015
  • Jason Statham, James Franco, and Izabela Vidovic in Homefront (2013)
    Homefront
    • producer
    • 2013
  • Inferno: The Making of 'The Expendables' (2010)
    Inferno: The Making of 'The Expendables'
    • producer
    • TV Movie
    • 2010
  • The Contender (2005)
    The Contender
    • executive producer
    • TV Series
    • 2006–2009
  • In-development projects at IMDbPro

Videos143

All About 'The Expendables 4'
Clip 1:38
All About 'The Expendables 4'
Florian Munteanu on the Role That Changed His Life
Clip 1:22
Florian Munteanu on the Role That Changed His Life
Sylvester Stallone | Career Retrospective
Clip 2:00
Sylvester Stallone | Career Retrospective
Did 'Home Alone' Inspire 'Rambo: Last Blood'?
Clip 1:43
Did 'Home Alone' Inspire 'Rambo: Last Blood'?
Sylvester Stallone: Movie Moments
Clip 1:59
Sylvester Stallone: Movie Moments
The Expendables: "Basketball Fight"
Clip 0:55
The Expendables: "Basketball Fight"
The Expendables: "Smaller"
Clip 0:49
The Expendables: "Smaller"
The Expendables: "Boat Gunfight"
Clip 0:49
The Expendables: "Boat Gunfight"
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Clip 0:57
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Clip 1:03
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Clip 0:58
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Ratchet and Clank
Clip 1:36
Ratchet and Clank

Personal details

Edit
  • Official sites
    • Facebook
    • Facebook - Sly Stallone Shop
  • Alternative names
    • Q Moonblood
  • Height
    • 5′ 10″ (1.78 m)
  • Born
    • July 6, 1946
    • New York City, New York, USA
  • Spouses
      Jennifer FlavinMay 17, 1997 - present (3 children)
  • Children
      Sage Stallone
  • Parents
      Jackie Stallone
  • Relatives
      Toni D'Alto(Half Sibling)
  • Other works
    he narrated a TV commercial for Lipton Brisk Ice Tea as his Rocky Balboa character from Rocky (1976) (voiceover).
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Biographical Movie
    • 4 Print Biographies
    • 2 Portrayals
    • 21 Interviews
    • 42 Articles
    • 24 Pictorials
    • 27 Magazine Cover Photos

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Expelled from 14 schools for antisocial and violent behavior before he was age 13.
  • Quotes
    Once in one's life, for one mortal moment, one must make a grab for immortality; if not, one has not lived.
  • Trademarks
      Deep resonant voice and mumbling.
  • Nicknames
    • Sly
    • Michael
    • The Italian Stallion
    • Binky
    • Sly Stallone
  • Salaries
      The Expendables 3
      (2014)
      $15,000,000

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