“When I was 26, totally broke, going nowhere VERY fast, owned two pair of pants that barely fit, shoes that had holes in them and dreams of being successful were as far away as the sun… “ – Sylvester Stallone
Did you know that before becoming an actor Sylvester Stallone worked as a lion cage cleaner?
It’s been a rough ride for the Oscar-winning actor before he became successful.
Born in New York to an Italian barber and American dancer. He had a complicated birth leading to damaging the nerves on one side of his face. This is the reason for his signature snarl look and slurred speech.
After working odd jobs here and there, Stallone decided to drive to Los Angeles with his only friend Butkus, a huge 70 kg bullmastiff, to seek luck in Hollywood.
They almost got killed on the week-long journey through the desert.
“On our way from New York to Hollywood to seek our fortune, the heat became so intense that we had to pack old Butkus in cracked ice for two days,” Sylvester recollects.
Then came a road through a wildlife preserve where an exceptionally large ostrich decided to peck the dog to death and attacked the car.
“Butkus jumped out in a counter attack and I practically got slaughtered trying to separate them.”, Sly said.
By the time they got back in the old car for a quick escape, the car stalled and a herd of angry buffalo showed up and attempted to turn the car with them in it.
“In the middle of all that confusion, Butkus jumped in the back seat and went to sleep…”
They eventually made it to Hollywood but things did not go well there either.
They were both, thin, hungry, and living in a shack above a subway stop.
Desperate for a breakthrough, Sylvester wrote the script for a gritty, underdog story about a small-time boxer named Rocky Balboa.
He was offered $265,000, but Stallone refused to sell, unless he could star a lead role in the movie.
No one wanted to produce it under these conditions, and Stallone was told he’d never make it in Hollywood.
At the end of his rope, and starving, Sly was actually forced to sell his beloved dog just to buy food. Stallone sold Butkus for $40 to a guy he met loitering outside a 7-11 store.
Then, out of a blue the screenplay for Rocky sold.
Once the money cleared Sly went to buy his dog back, but the new owner knew he was desperate, and charged him $3,000 for the dog. The production have agreed to let Sylvester in the lead role but they only allowed for minimal budget.
Determined to succeed, Stallone sold everything he owned to help finance the movie himself.
He slept on the floor of the movie’s set and begged for food from the catering truck to save money.
Despite all the odds, “Rocky” was released to critical and commercial success, grossing $225 million worldwide and earning 10 Academy Award nominations, including one for Stallone for Best Original Screenplay and one for Best Picture.
Stallone’s persistence and passion paid off, making him a Hollywood legend and inspiring millions with the story of Rocky Balboa’s never-say-die attitude.
I hold this story close to my heart. It shows that will to succeed and perseverance beats all obstacles.
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