Challenges Faced by Sylvester Stallone: Obstacles and Turning Points

Life is full of challenges, and Sylvester Stallone faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Sylvester Stallone is a celebrated American actor and filmmaker with a career spanning over five decades. He has earned numerous awards, including a Golden Globe and a Critics' Choice Award, alongside multiple Academy Award and BAFTA nominations. Notably, he is one of only two actors to have starred in a box-office number-one film across six consecutive decades. His filmography has collectively grossed over $7.5 billion globally, solidifying his status as a major figure in the entertainment industry.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1981: Falling out with Joe Spinell during Nighthawks

In 1981, Sylvester Stallone and Joe Spinell had a falling out during the shooting of their final collaboration, Nighthawks.

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1983: Directing Staying Alive

In 1983, Sylvester Stallone directed "Staying Alive", the sequel to "Saturday Night Fever" starring John Travolta. Although a critical failure, the film was a commercial success, grossing nearly $65 million in the US box office against a $22 million budget and ranking in the top ten most financially successful films of 1983.

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1984: Starring in Rhinestone

In 1984, Sylvester Stallone co-wrote and starred in the comedy film "Rhinestone" alongside Dolly Parton, playing a wannabe country music singer and performing a song for the soundtrack. Stallone regretted turning down the lead male role in "Romancing the Stone" to make "Rhinestone" instead.

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1985: Signing to Remake Angels with Dirty Faces

Around 1985, Sylvester Stallone signed to a remake of the 1939 James Cagney classic "Angels with Dirty Faces". The film was to be co-starred by Christopher Reeve and directed by Menahem Golan, but was met with disapproval and was never made. Cannon opted to make the action film Cobra instead.

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1986: Allegation of sexual assault in Las Vegas

In 1986, Sylvester Stallone was accused of sexual assault by a 16-year-old girl while he was shooting a film in Las Vegas.

1987: Settlement with Toni-Ann Filiti

In 1987, Sylvester Stallone reportedly paid a $2 million lump-sum settlement alongside a monthly amount and a trust for psychiatric and medical expenses to his half-sister Toni-Ann Filiti after she threatened to file a lawsuit accusing him of abuse.

1987: Starring in Over the Top

In 1987, Sylvester Stallone starred in the family drama "Over the Top" as a struggling trucker who enters an arm wrestling competition. It was poorly received by critics and was a box-office failure.

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1992: Starring in Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot

In 1992, Sylvester Stallone appeared in the action comedy "Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot", which was both a critical and box-office disaster. Stallone signed onto the film based on rumors that Schwarzenegger was interested in the lead, but Schwarzenegger publicly faked interest in starring for producers to lure Stallone, knowing the script's quality was poor.

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1995: Starring in Judge Dredd

In 1995, Sylvester Stallone played the title character in the science fiction action film "Judge Dredd". Stallone's overseas box-office appeal saved the domestic box-office disappointment of the film, which cost almost US$100 million.

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February 26, 2000: Alleged Assault by Margie Carr

On February 26, 2000, Sylvester Stallone was allegedly raped by Margie Carr.

2000: Starring in Get Carter

In 2000, Sylvester Stallone starred in the thriller "Get Carter", a remake of the 1971 British film of the same name, but the film was poorly received by both critics and audiences.

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February 2001: Margie Carr filed lawsuit against Stallone

In February 2001, an exotic dancer named Margie Carr filed a lawsuit against Sylvester Stallone, accusing him of rape.

2001: Starring in Driven

In 2001, Sylvester Stallone's career declined considerably after his film "Driven" was a critical and commercial failure.

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2002: Starring in Avenging Angelo and D-Tox

In 2002, Sylvester Stallone's films "Avenging Angelo" and "D-Tox" were also critical and commercial failures.

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2007: Customs incident in Australia

In 2007, Sylvester Stallone was found in possession of 48 vials of the synthetic human growth hormone Jintropin by customs officials in Australia.

2013: Reports of Stallone's settlement with Filiti

In 2013, it was reported that Sylvester Stallone had paid a settlement to his half-sister Toni-Ann Filiti in 1987 after she threatened to file a lawsuit accusing him of abuse. Representatives for Stallone denied the allegations.

August 15, 2014: Release of The Expendables 3

On August 15, 2014, "The Expendables 3", the third installment in the series, was released. The film was negatively received and became the lowest-grossing film in the series.

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2016: Publication of sexual assault report

In 2016, a report from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department was published stating that Sylvester Stallone was accused of sexual assault by a 16-year-old girl in 1986. A representative for Stallone denied the allegation.

November 2017: Sexual Assault Accusation

In November 2017, a woman accused Stallone of sexually assaulting her at his Santa Monica office in the early 1990s, which Stallone denied.

June 2018: Investigation Confirmed

In June 2018, the Los Angeles District Attorney's office confirmed an investigation into the sexual assault allegations against Stallone, stating that the Santa Monica Police Department had presented a sex crimes case for review.

October 2018: No Charges Filed

In October 2018, the Los Angeles District Attorney's office decided not to charge Stallone for the alleged assault due to lack of corroborating witnesses. Stallone then filed a police report against the accuser for lying on an official document.

August 19, 2022: Jennifer Flavin Files for Divorce

On August 19, 2022, Jennifer Flavin filed for "dissolution of marriage and other relief" after 25 years of marriage to Sylvester Stallone.

October 2023: Reprising Barney Ross in Expend4bles

In October 2023, Sylvester Stallone reprised his role as Barney Ross in Expend4bles, which was a critical and commercial failure, becoming the lowest-grossing film in the franchise.

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