Sylvester Stallone is a highly acclaimed American actor and filmmaker known for his action roles. His awards include a Golden Globe and a Critics' Choice Award, along with nominations for three Oscars and two BAFTAs. He holds a unique distinction as one of only two actors to have top-billed a box-office hit in six different decades.
Frank Stallone Sr., Sylvester Stallone's father and a hairdresser, was born in 1919.
Jacqueline "Jackie" Stallone, Sylvester Stallone's mother, was born in 1921.
This entry does not describe an event in Stallone's life, but refers to the release year of the original "Angels With Dirty Faces."
On July 6, 1946, Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone was born in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City.
Sylvester Stallone's mother, Jacqueline Stallone, established a women's gym called Barbella's in 1954.
Sylvester Stallone began his studies at the American College of Switzerland in September 1965.
In June 1967, Sylvester Stallone concluded his two years of studies at the American College of Switzerland.
While a student at the University of Miami, Stallone had a role in the 1968 drama film "That Nice Boy".
In 1969, Sylvester Stallone moved to New York City in hopes of establishing an acting career.
Sylvester Stallone enrolled at the University of Miami in 1967 to pursue a degree in drama, continuing his studies until 1969.
Until 1969, Sylvester Stallone used the stage name "Mike Stallone" for his acting endeavors.
Driven by financial desperation, Stallone took a starring role in the softcore pornography film "The Party at Kitty and Stud's" in 1970.
In 1970, Sylvester Stallone began his acting career with minor, often uncredited roles in films like "MASH" and "Pigeons."
In 1970, Sylvester Stallone began using his now-famous stage name, "Sylvester E. Stallone".
The erotic off-Broadway play "Score", featuring Sylvester Stallone, concluded its run at the Martinique Theatre on November 15, 1971.
Stallone continued to take on small roles in 1971, appearing in films such as Woody Allen's "Bananas" and the thriller "Klute."
Production for "The Lords of Flatbush", which would feature Sylvester Stallone, began in 1972 but faced delays due to budget constraints.
In 1972, Stallone unsuccessfully auditioned for an extra role in "The Godfather", highlighting his struggles at the time.
Sylvester Stallone landed his first significant leading role in the independent film "No Place to Hide", released in 1973.
On December 28, 1974, Sylvester Stallone married Sasha Czack. They had two sons: Sage Moonblood Stallone, born in 1976, and Seargeoh, born in 1979, who was diagnosed with autism at an early age.
After facing budget issues and delays, "The Lords of Flatbush", starring Sylvester Stallone, was finally released in 1974.
After struggling to find work as an actor, Stallone was cast in "The Lords of Flatbush" in 1974.
Stallone landed his second starring role in the 1974 film "The Lords of Flatbush," marking a step forward in his career.
The stage play "Score", in which Stallone starred, was adapted into a film by Radley Metzger and released in 1974.
On March 24, 1975, Stallone witnessed the Muhammad Ali vs. Chuck Wepner fight, which served as inspiration for his iconic screenplay, "Rocky."
In 1975, Stallone took on supporting roles in films like "Farewell, My Lovely" and "Death Race 2000." He also made guest appearances on television series such as "Police Story" and "Kojak."
Sylvester Stallone wrote and starred in the iconic boxing film "Rocky" in 1976, which became a massive critical and commercial success.
"Rocky" was released in 1976, catapulting Stallone to international fame. He wrote and starred in the film, which became a massive critical and commercial success.
In 1976, the theme song 'Gonna Fly Now' for Sylvester Stallone's film Rocky, composed by Bill Conti, became a U.S. No. 1 hit. This song became iconic and is closely associated with Stallone's career.
In 1976, Sylvester Stallone's first son, Sage Moonblood Stallone, was born. Sage later died of heart disease at age 36 in 2012.
At the 49th Academy Awards in 1977, "Rocky" was nominated for ten awards, winning Best Picture, Best Directing, and Best Film Editing. The film's cultural impact is undeniable, with the "Rocky Steps" in Philadelphia becoming a popular tourist attraction.
In 1977, Sylvester Stallone became the third man in history to be nominated for both Best Actor and Best Screenplay for the film Rocky, following Charlie Chaplin and Orson Welles. Stallone wrote and starred in Rocky, marking a significant career milestone.
Stallone's performance and writing in "Rocky" earned him two Academy Award nominations in 1977, for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay.
In 1978, Sylvester Stallone sang 'Too Close to Paradise' for the film Paradise Alley. The music was provided by Bill Conti, who also collaborated with Stallone on the famous 'Gonna Fly Now' theme for Rocky.
Stallone made his directorial debut with the film "Paradise Alley" in 1978. He also starred in Norman Jewison's "F.I.S.T" that same year.
In 1979, Sylvester Stallone's second son, Seargeoh Stallone, was born. Seargeoh was diagnosed with autism at an early age.
Stallone wrote, starred in, and directed "Rocky II," released in 1979. The sequel was another major box office success.
In 1981, Stallone starred in two contrasting films: the sports drama "Escape to Victory" alongside Michael Caine and Pelé, and the thriller "Nighthawks," where he played a New York City cop facing off against a terrorist.
In 1981, Sylvester Stallone had a falling out with his close friend Joe Spinell during the shooting of their final collaboration, Nighthawks.
1982 was a significant year for Stallone as he launched two major action franchises. He starred as John Rambo in "First Blood" and wrote, directed, and starred in "Rocky III," both achieving critical and commercial success.
In 1982, Sylvester Stallone sang 'Take Me Back' as Rocky Balboa to his on-screen wife Adrian in the film Rocky III. The song was first performed by his brother Frank Stallone.
Sylvester Stallone took on the role of John Rambo, a troubled Vietnam War veteran, in the action film "First Blood" in 1982.
In 1983, Frank Stallone's song 'Far from Over' for the film Staying Alive, which was written and directed by Sylvester Stallone, reached #10 on the U.S. charts. Frank has contributed music to many of Sylvester's films, including the Rocky series.
Stallone directed "Staying Alive," the sequel to "Saturday Night Fever," in 1983. Although a commercial success, the film faced harsh criticism.
In 1984, Sylvester Stallone sang several songs, including 'Drinkenstein', and performed duets with Dolly Parton in the film Rhinestone.
In recognition of his significant contributions to the film industry, Sylvester Stallone received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1984.
Stallone starred alongside Dolly Parton in the musical comedy "Rhinestone" in 1984. Although he also contributed to the soundtrack, the film was not well-received.
On February 14, 1985, Sylvester Stallone and Sasha Czack divorced. Their marriage had produced two sons, Sage and Seargeoh.
On December 15, 1985, Sylvester Stallone married model and actress Brigitte Nielsen in Beverly Hills, California. Their highly publicized marriage lasted two years before they divorced.
Around 1985, Stallone was attached to star in a remake of the classic film "Angels With Dirty Faces." The project, met with negative reactions, was eventually scrapped in favor of "Cobra."
Stallone continued his successful franchises in 1985 with "Rocky IV" and "Rambo: First Blood Part II." Both films were major commercial successes, further solidifying his status as an action star.
Sylvester Stallone starred in the action-thriller film "Cobra" in 1986, solidifying his status as a bankable action star.
Stallone starred in the action film "Cobra," a commercial success, in 1986. This success led to the establishment of his production company, White Eagle Enterprises.
In 1986, during the filming of a movie in Las Vegas, Sylvester Stallone was alleged to have sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl. Stallone denied the claims and was defended by his ex-wife Brigitte Nielsen.
In 1987, Sylvester Stallone had a consensual relationship with a woman who later accused him of sexual assault in the early 1990s. Stallone denied the assault allegations.
In 1987, Toni-Ann Filiti threatened to file a lawsuit against her half-brother Sylvester Stallone, accusing him of abuse. Stallone reportedly settled with her, denying the allegations and claiming she was attempting to blackmail him.
Stallone starred in the arm-wrestling drama "Over the Top" in 1987. The film, however, failed to resonate with audiences and critics.
In 1988, Sylvester Stallone met model Jennifer Flavin. The two were in a relationship until 1994, when Stallone was involved in a paternity scandal with Janice Dickinson.
In 1989, Stallone starred alongside Kurt Russell in the buddy cop action comedy "Tango & Cash." The film achieved considerable box office success internationally.
In 1989, actor Joe Spinell, who was a close friend of Sylvester Stallone, passed away. Their friendship had ended years earlier during the filming of Nighthawks.
Stallone shared the screen with Kurt Russell in the buddy cop action comedy "Tango & Cash" in 1989.
The 1973 film "No Place to Hide", starring Stallone, was re-edited and re-released in 1990 as a parody titled "A Man Called... Rainbo".
Sylvester Stallone experienced two box-office flops in 1992 with the films "Oscar" and "Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot," both receiving negative critical reception. There were rumors that Arnold Schwarzenegger had faked interest in the lead role for "Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot," contributing to Stallone's decision to join the project.
1993 saw Stallone star in two successful action films: the mountain-climbing thriller "Cliffhanger" and the futuristic action film "Demolition Man".
In 1993, Stallone's career rebounded with the success of "Cliffhanger" and "Demolition Man." "Cliffhanger" was a box-office triumph, grossing over $170 million worldwide. "Demolition Man," a futuristic action film, received positive reviews and also performed well commercially.
The original Demolition Man film, starring Sylvester Stallone, was released in 1993. The film became a cult classic, leading to the announcement of a sequel in 2020.
In February 1994, Sylvester Stallone discovered through DNA tests that he was not the father of the child model Janice Dickinson claimed was his. This revelation led to the end of his engagement to Dickinson.
Despite negative reviews from critics, "The Specialist," starring Stallone and Sharon Stone, achieved commercial success in 1994. The film grossed over $170 million globally, proving to be a financial win.
In 1994, Stallone made a financial contribution to Rick Santorum's Senate campaign.
In 1994, Stallone starred alongside Sharon Stone and James Woods in the action thriller "The Specialist".
In 1995, Sylvester Stallone had a brief engagement with model Angie Everhart before rekindling his relationship with Jennifer Flavin.
In 1995, Stallone starred in "Judge Dredd," a science fiction action film. While it faced disappointment domestically, its international performance helped it break even. This led to a three-picture deal with Universal Pictures worth $60 million, though the deal later expired in February 2000 without any films being made.
Stallone starred in the disaster film "Daylight" in 1996, which underperformed in the U.S. but found greater success internationally. The film ultimately grossed $158 million worldwide.
Sylvester Stallone's daughter was born ill in 1996, leading him back to his Catholic faith after years of distancing himself from religion.
In May 1997, Sylvester Stallone married Jennifer Flavin. The couple has three daughters: Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet. His daughters were later chosen to share the role of Golden Globe Ambassador at the 74th Golden Globe Awards.
Stallone took on a different type of role in 1997 with the crime drama "Cop Land," earning him critical praise and the Stockholm International Film Festival Best Actor Award. The film also performed moderately well at the box office.
In recognition of his successful acting career and life experiences, Sylvester Stallone was awarded a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Miami in 1998.
Stallone lent his voice to the animated film "Antz" in 1998, which became a major box office success in the U.S.
Sylvester Stallone's three-picture deal with Universal Pictures, signed in 1995, expired in February 2000. As no films were produced under this agreement, Stallone did not receive any payment.
On February 26, 2000, an exotic dancer named Margie Carr accused Sylvester Stallone of raping her at a Santa Monica fitness center. Stallone's lawyer denied the claim, suggesting she had sold the story to a tabloid.
Stallone starred in a remake of the 1971 British film "Get Carter" in 2000. The film was met with negative reviews and struggled commercially.
In February 2001, Margie Carr filed a lawsuit against Sylvester Stallone, accusing him of rape. Stallone's lawyer denied the claims, stating that she had sold the story to a tabloid prior to the lawsuit.
Stallone's film "Driven" was released in 2001, marking a continued downturn in his career as it faced both critical and commercial failure.
Continuing a period of career difficulty, Stallone's films "Avenging Angelo" and "D-Tox," both released in 2002, failed to resonate with audiences and received negative reviews.
Stallone experienced a mix of outcomes in 2003. He appeared in the financially successful "Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over" and received acclaim for his supporting role in the limited-release neo-noir film "Shade." He was also attached to a project about the murders of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. that never came to fruition.
In 2005, Stallone co-presented the boxing reality show "The Contender," made guest appearances on "Las Vegas," and released his fitness and lifestyle book, "Sly Moves." He also inducted Hulk Hogan, who appeared in "Rocky III," into the WWE Hall of Fame.
After a 16-year hiatus, Stallone reprised his iconic role as Rocky Balboa in the 2006 film "Rocky Balboa", which served as a sequel to "Rocky V".
After a three-year break from film, Stallone made a strong comeback in 2006 with "Rocky Balboa." He wrote, directed, and starred in the sixth installment of the franchise, which was a critical and commercial success. His performance received widespread praise.
By 2006, Stallone had publicly embraced his Catholic faith, attributing his return to finding God amidst the temptations of Hollywood. He discussed his spiritual journey on the Christian Broadcasting Network's 700 Club.
In 2007, Australian customs officials discovered 48 vials of the synthetic human growth hormone Jintropin in Sylvester Stallone's luggage. On May 15, Stallone pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing a controlled substance.
Stallone reprised another iconic role in 2008 with "Rambo," the fourth film in the franchise. Released on January 25, 2008, the film performed well commercially, grossing over $113 million worldwide.
In February 2008, Sylvester Stallone was asked which of his iconic characters, Rocky or Rambo, he preferred to be remembered for. He chose Rocky, describing the character as his first 'baby' and suggesting Rocky represents the 'conscious' while Rambo represents the 'unconscious'.
Stallone publicly supported John McCain in the 2008 presidential election.
Sylvester Stallone brought back the character of John Rambo in the 2008 film "Rambo", set decades after the events of "Rambo III".
Stallone made a cameo appearance as himself in the Bollywood film "Kambakkht Ishq" in July 2009.
In 2009, Stallone expressed renewed interest in a "Death Wish" remake, a project he had previously been attached to direct and star in. However, the role ultimately went to Bruce Willis, with Eli Roth directing.
Sylvester Stallone wrote, directed, and starred in the ensemble action film "The Expendables," filming it during the summer and winter of 2009. The film featured an ensemble cast of action stars.
On August 13, 2010, Sylvester Stallone's ensemble action film, "The Expendables," which he wrote, directed, and starred in, was released. The film marked the biggest opening weekend in Stallone's career.
On December 7, 2010, Stallone received a significant honor with his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the non-participant category.
Stallone created, directed, and starred in "The Expendables" in 2010, an action film featuring an ensemble cast of action movie icons.
In 2010, Stallone described himself as "pretty spiritual" but not belonging to a structured church. He expressed belief in the "spirit of man" while acknowledging the value of religious teachings.
Frank Stallone Sr., Sylvester Stallone's father, passed away in 2011.
Sylvester Stallone provided the voice of a lion in the comedy film "Zookeeper," starring Kevin James, in 2011.
The sequel to Stallone's ensemble action film, "The Expendables 2," was released on August 17, 2012. The film featured returning cast members and new additions, including Jean-Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris.
On August 26, 2012, Sylvester Stallone's half-sister, Toni Ann Filiti, died of lung cancer at 48 years old.
In 2012, Sylvester Stallone's half-sister Toni-Ann Filiti passed away. She had previously accused Stallone of abuse, which he denied.
In 2012, Sylvester Stallone's son Sage Moonblood Stallone died of heart disease at age 36, a significant personal loss for Stallone.
Sylvester Stallone starred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in the prison escape thriller "Escape Plan" in 2013.
In 2013, Sylvester Stallone performed 'The Star-Spangled Banner' with Robert De Niro in the film Grudge Match, marking the last time he sang in a film.
In 2013, Sylvester Stallone starred in several action films, including "Bullet to the Head," directed by Walter Hill, "Escape Plan" with Arnold Schwarzenegger, and "Grudge Match" with Robert De Niro. He was also credited as a writer for Jason Statham's action film "Homefront."
In 2013, it was reported that Sylvester Stallone had paid a $2 million lump-sum settlement and other compensations to his half-sister Toni-Ann Filiti in 1987 after she threatened to file a lawsuit accusing him of abuse. Representatives denied the allegations, accusing Filiti of blackmail.
The third installment in "The Expendables" franchise, "The Expendables 3," was released on August 15, 2014, featuring new additions to the ensemble cast, including Wesley Snipes, Antonio Banderas, Mel Gibson, and Harrison Ford.
Following the advice of a Vedic scholar, Stallone performed a Hindu Tithi Shradh ritual in Haridwar for his son Sage, who had died in 2012.
In 2015, Stallone reprised his role as Rocky Balboa in "Creed", this time serving as a mentor to the son of Apollo Creed. His performance earned him critical acclaim and a Golden Globe Award.
Sylvester Stallone reprised his iconic role as Rocky Balboa in the spin-off-sequel film "Creed" in 2015. The film, directed by Ryan Coogler, received critical acclaim, and Stallone's performance earned him a Golden Globe Award and his third Academy Award nomination.
In 2016, Stallone characterized Donald Trump as a "Dickensian character" without making a formal endorsement. He also chose not to accept the position of Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, desiring to focus on veterans' issues.
In 2016, Sylvester Stallone was accused of sexual assault by a 16-year-old girl, who claimed the incident occurred in 1986 while he was filming in Las Vegas. Stallone denied the allegations, and his ex-wife Brigitte Nielsen defended him.
In November 2017, a woman accused Sylvester Stallone of sexually assaulting her in the early 1990s. Stallone denied the claim, stating they had a consensual relationship in 1987. An investigation was later conducted, but no charges were filed.
Sylvester Stallone appeared in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" as Stakar Ogord / Starhawk in 2017.
Production for "Creed II" began in March 2018, with Stallone initially slated to direct before Steven Caple Jr. took over.
Sylvester Stallone formed the film studio Balboa Productions with Braden Aftergood in March 2018, aiming to co-produce various film and television projects.
A fifth installment in the "Rambo" franchise was announced in May 2018.
In June 2018, the Los Angeles District Attorney's office confirmed an investigation into sexual assault allegations against Sylvester Stallone. The investigation was based on a report filed by a woman who accused Stallone of assaulting her in the early 1990s.
Adrian Grünberg was confirmed as the director for "Rambo: Last Blood" in August 2018.
Filming for "Rambo: Last Blood" commenced in September 2018, with a plot revolving around John Rambo rescuing a family friend's daughter from a Mexican drug cartel.
In October 2018, the Los Angeles District Attorney's office decided not to charge Sylvester Stallone for an alleged sexual assault in the early 1990s, citing a lack of witnesses to corroborate the allegations.
"Creed II," with Sylvester Stallone reprising his role as Rocky Balboa, was released in the United States on November 21, 2018. The film received positive reviews and had a successful opening weekend.
In 2018, Sylvester Stallone co-starred in "Escape Plan 2: Hades" and began work on "Escape Plan 3: Devil's Station." He also announced a script for a "Creed" sequel.
On July 23, 2019, Sylvester Stallone revealed that a "Rocky" sequel and prequel were in development, with him involved as writer and star. He also mentioned ongoing discussions for a "Rocky" prequel television series.
The fifth installment in the Rambo franchise, "Rambo: Last Blood," co-written by and starring Sylvester Stallone, was released in the United States on September 20, 2019. The film performed well at the box office.
Stallone reprised his role as John Rambo for the last time in the 2019 film "Rambo: Last Blood", marking the end of the franchise.
In May 2020, Sylvester Stallone announced that a sequel to the 1993 film Demolition Man was in development with Warner Brothers. He expressed excitement about the project, stating it looked fantastic and was in progress.
Sylvester Stallone lent his voice to the fighting video game "Mortal Kombat 11" as Rambo in late 2020 as part of the game's 2nd Kombat Pack.
Sylvester Stallone narrated the documentary "40 Years of Rocky" (2020), directed and produced by Derek Wayne Johnson, featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the original "Rocky" film.
Jacqueline "Jackie" Stallone, known for her astrology work and appearances on her son's films, passed away in 2020.
Sylvester Stallone voiced King Shark in the DC Extended Universe film "The Suicide Squad" in 2021.
On August 19, 2022, after 25 years of marriage, Jennifer Flavin filed for divorce from Sylvester Stallone, citing 'dissolution of marriage and other relief' in Palm Beach County records.
On September 23, 2022, Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin reconciled, deciding to continue their marriage after the initial filing for divorce.
Sylvester Stallone made his streaming television debut in "Tulsa King," playing a Mafia boss, on November 2022, on Paramount+. The series, created by Taylor Sheridan and Terence Winter, was renewed for a second season.
Sylvester Stallone ventured into television with the Paramount+ crime series "Tulsa King" in 2022, portraying a New York mafia capo.
In May 2023, "The Family Stallone," a reality television series starring Sylvester Stallone and his family, premiered and was renewed for a second season shortly after. Stallone also reprised his role as Stakar Ogord in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" that month.
Sylvester Stallone reprised his role as Barney Ross in "The Expendables 4," released in October 2023. The film, however, faced both critical and commercial disappointment.
Stallone donated to Senator Kyrsten Sinema's re-election campaign in 2023. Later that year, he and his family had a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican.