Sylvester Enzio Stallone (born Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone on July 6, 1946) is an American actor, 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 Rocky film, which he also wrote. The movie became a major critical and commercial success and marked a turning point in his career. The Rocky series has since become iconic, depicting Balboa's journey as he overcomes formidable opponents and wins the world heavyweight title twice.
Stallone was born in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York City to Francesco "Frank" Stallone Sr., a hairdresser and beautician, and Jacqueline "Jackie" Stallone, 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 Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. He has a younger brother, Frank Stallone, 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 Sylvester E. Stallone.
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 Woody Allen's Bananas and Alan Pakula’s thriller Klute.
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 Rocky (1976) that marked his breakthrough. Written in just a few days and inspired by the life of boxer Chuck Wepner, the screenplay led to a film that Stallone insisted he star in. Rocky was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won three, including Best Picture.
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 labor leader Jimmy Hoffa. In 1979, he returned with Rocky II, which he also directed, further solidifying his place in Hollywood.
The success of Rocky was followed by the debut of another signature character, John Rambo, 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 Rocky 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 Kurt Russell.
