Sylvester Stallone Biography, Net Worth, Age, Children, Actor

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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvester_Stallone">Sylvester Enzio Stallone</a> (born <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvester_Stallone">Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone</a> on July 6, 1946) is an American <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvester_Stallone">actor</a>, screenwriter, director, and producer. After years of struggling in New York City beginning in 1969 and then relocating to Hollywood in 1974, he earned his first critical recognition with a supporting role as Stanley Rosiello in the film The Lords of Flatbush (1974). Stallone rose to international fame in 1976 with his portrayal of underdog boxer Rocky Balboa in the original <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky">Rocky</a> film, which he also wrote. The movie became a major critical and commercial success and marked a turning point in his career. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky">Rocky</a> series has since become iconic, depicting Balboa's journey as he overcomes formidable opponents and wins the world heavyweight title twice.

<h2>Background and Early Life</h2>

Stallone was born in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York City to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Stallone_Sr.">Francesco "Frank" Stallone Sr.</a>, a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Stallone_Sr.">hairdresser</a> and beautician, and <a href="/biography/jackie-stallone">Jacqueline "Jackie" Stallone</a>, an astrologer, dancer, and women’s wrestling promoter. His father, of Italian descent, hailed from Gioia del Colle, Italy, and immigrated to the U.S. in the 1930s. His mother was of French (from Brittany) and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashkenazi_Jews">Ashkenazi Jewish</a> ancestry. He has a younger brother, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Stallone_Sr.">Frank Stallone</a>, who is both an actor and musician.

Complications during Stallone’s birth necessitated the use of forceps, which inadvertently severed a facial nerve and left the lower left side of his face — including parts of his lip, tongue, and chin — paralyzed. This resulted in his distinct facial expression and slurred speech, features that would later become part of his screen persona. Struggling with bullying during his childhood, Stallone channeled his frustration into bodybuilding and eventually, acting.

He was baptized as a Catholic. In the early 1950s, the family moved to Washington, D.C., where his father ran a beauty school and his mother founded Barbella’s, a women’s gym, in 1954. Stallone attended Notre Dame Academy, Lincoln High School in Philadelphia, and Charlotte Hall Military Academy, before enrolling at Miami Dade College. He later studied at the American College of Switzerland (1965–1967) and then at the University of Miami, majoring in drama from 1967 to 1969. Early in his career, he performed under the names Mike Stallone and later <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvester_Stallone">Sylvester E. Stallone</a>.

<h2>Early Career and Breakthrough with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky">Rocky</a></h2>

Stallone’s acting career began modestly in 1970 when he accepted a role in the low-budget adult film The Party at Kitty and Stud’s, a choice he later said was made out of financial desperation. That same year, he appeared in the film Rebel, though it did not bring him immediate fame.

He gained additional stage experience in the off-Broadway play Score in 1971, which led to a film adaptation. He also had minor roles in notable movies, including <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody_Allen">Woody Allen</a>'s Bananas and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_J._Pakula">Alan Pakula</a>’s thriller <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klute">Klute</a>.

By 1975, Stallone had appeared in several supporting roles in films such as The Prisoner of Second Avenue, Capone, Farewell, My Lovely, and Death Race 2000. However, it was <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky">Rocky</a> (1976) that marked his breakthrough. Written in just a few days and inspired by the life of boxer <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Wepner">Chuck Wepner</a>, the screenplay led to a film that Stallone insisted he star in. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky">Rocky</a> was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won three, including Best Picture.

<h2>Expanding Roles and Fitness Icon Status</h2>

Stallone made his directorial debut in 1978 with Paradise Alley and also starred in F.I.S.T., a drama loosely based on the life of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Hoffa">labor leader</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Hoffa">Jimmy Hoffa</a>. In 1979, he returned with Rocky II, which he also directed, further solidifying his place in Hollywood.

The success of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky">Rocky</a> was followed by the debut of another <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rambo">signature character</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rambo">John Rambo</a>, in 1982’s First Blood. The film was both a critical and commercial success, leading to sequels including Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) and Rambo III (1988), which, although financially successful, received mixed critical reception.

Continuing the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky">Rocky</a> franchise, he released Rocky III in 1982 and Rocky IV in 1985, both well received by fans. For these roles, Stallone adopted rigorous training regimens, cementing his image as a fitness icon in pop culture.

In 1987, Stallone attempted to venture beyond action films with Over the Top. Despite a unique premise, the movie was critically panned and underperformed. He rebounded with the successful buddy-cop film Tango & Cash (1989), co-starring <a href="/biography/kurt-russell">Kurt Russell</a>.

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<h2>Challenges, Comebacks, and The Expendables Franchise</h2>

With 1990's Rocky V, Stallone intended to conclude the series, but the film was poorly received both critically and commercially. He sought to reinvent himself with comedies like Oscar and Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, neither of which succeeded.

Returning to action, Stallone starred in 1993’s cliff-hanging adventure Cliffhanger and the sci-fi action film Demolition Man. Both were commercial successes. Between 1994 and 1996, he appeared in The Specialist, Judge Dredd, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassins_(1995_film)">Assassins</a>—films that maintained his popularity in the action genre.

In 1997, Stallone impressed critics with a more dramatic turn in Cop Land, in which he starred alongside <a href="/biography/robert-de-niro">Robert De Niro</a> and <a href="/biography/ray-liotta">Ray Liotta</a>. The following year he voiced the character Weaver in the animated hit Antz.

The early 2000s saw Stallone in a slew of modest or underperforming films, including <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Get_Carter_(2000_film)">Get Carter</a>, Driven, D-Tox, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avenging_Angelo">Avenging Angelo</a>, Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over, Taxi 3, and Shade. During this time, he also co-hosted the reality competition series The Contender (2005), offering mentorship to aspiring boxers.

Stallone made a strong return to cinema in 2006 with Rocky Balboa, the sixth installment in the franchise. The film was warmly received and considered a return to form. In 2008, he revived the Rambo character in Rambo, which performed well globally.

In 2009, he made a cameo in the Bollywood film Kambakkht Ishq. The following year, he directed and starred in The Expendables, a film featuring an ensemble of action stars from the 1980s and 1990s. It was a commercial hit and sparked two successful sequels: The Expendables 2 (2012) and The Expendables 3 (2014). In 2013, he appeared in Bullet to the Head, based on the French graphic novel Du Plomb Dans la Tête.

<h2>Personal Life</h2>

Stallone has been married three times. His first marriage was to Sasha Czack in 1974, with whom he has two sons. The couple divorced in 1985. Later that year, he married model and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigitte_Nielsen">actress</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigitte_Nielsen">Brigitte Nielsen</a>, but their union lasted just two years.

Since 1997, he has been married to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Flavin">Jennifer Flavin</a>. The couple has three daughters. Known for performing many of his own stunts throughout his career, Stallone has sustained numerous injuries, including a neck fracture that required surgical insertion of a metal plate.

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