Last Updated on September 22, 2023
Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone is an American actor and filmmaker.
Stallone earned his first critical acclaim for his co-starring role in the film The Lords of Flatbush. He then had several supporting roles before receiving his big break in 1976 by starring in the first installment of the Rocky series.
Stallone has acted in as well as written, directed, and produced dozens of movies since then. Among his most outstanding works include the Rambo series (1982 – 2019), Cobra (1986), Cliffhanger (1993), and The Expendable series (2010 – present).
Sylvester Stallone Quick Facts
| Full Name: | Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone |
| Popular Name: | Sylvester Stallone |
| Nicknames: | Rambo, Rocky Balboa, Sly, Sly Stallion, and the Italian Stallion |
| Birth Date: | July 6, 1946 |
| Age: | 77 Years |
| Parents: | Francesco Stallone Sr. and Jacqueline Labofish Stallone |
| Siblings: | Biological Brother – Francesco Stallone Jr. and Half-siblings – Toni D’Alto (deceased), Bryan Stallone, Carla Stallone, and Dante Stallone |
| Birth Place: | New York City, New York, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Ethnicity: | Mixed (Italian, French, and Ashkenazi Jewish) |
| Religion: | Christianity |
| Education: | Notre Dame Academy, Abraham Lincoln High School, Charlotte Hall Military Academy, Miami Dade College, the American College of Switzerland, and the University of Miami |
| Marital Status: | Married to model Jennifer Flavin (since 1997); was previously married to Sasha Czack (from 1974 until their divorce in 1985) and model Brigitte Nielsen (from 1985 until their divorce in 1987) |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Children: | Sage Moonblood Stallone and Seargeoh Stallone (from his first marriage) and Sophia Stallone, Sistine Stallone, and Scarlet Stallone (from his third and current marriage) |
| Net Worth: | USD 400 million (as at September 1, 2023) |
| Source of Wealth: | Acting, Filmmaking, and Other Ventures |
| Height: | 5′ 10″ (1.78 m) |
| Weight: | In kilograms: 84 kg; In pounds: 185 lbs. |
Early Life and Career Information
Early Life
Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone was born on July 6, 1946, in New York City, New York, United States, to Francesco “Frank” Stallone Sr. and Jacqueline “Jackie” Labofish Stallone. His father worked as a hairdresser and beautician whereas his mother was an astrologer, women’s wrestling promoter, and dancer.
Sylvester has a younger biological brother known as Frank, who is an actor and singer-songwriter. He also has several half-siblings from his parents’ other marriages. They include Bryan Stallone, Carla Stallone, and Dante Stallone (from Francesco’s marriage to his fourth wife Kathleen Rhodes) and the now-deceased Toni D’Alto (from his mother’s side).
Education Background
Sylvester Stallone attended Philadelphia-based Notre Dame Academy and Abraham Lincoln High School. He later proceeded to Charlotte Hall Military Academy located in Charlotte Hall, Maryland.
Stallone then attended Miami Dade College before traveling to Switzerland on a scholarship and spending two years (1965 – 1967) at the American College of Switzerland. The promising actor returned to the United States to pursue a drama course at the University of Miami. He was able to negotiate a deal in which he exchanged his acting and life experiences with his remaining college credits, eventually earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the University of Miami in 1998.
Career Breakthrough
Sylvester Stallone’s debut starring role was in a softcore adult film called The Party at Kitty. He would later state that he accepted the gig out of financial desperation after he was kicked out of his apartment.
Stallone accepted several minor film roles before landing his big break. These include an uncredited role in the 1971 film Bananas.
Stallone’s breakthrough came in 1976 when he released the first installment of what would become one of Hollywood’s most successful film series – Rocky. Stallone also wrote Rocky’s script and reportedly refused to sell it unless he was also starring in the movie.
Following the success of Rocky, Stallone released the film’s sequel – Rocky II – in 1979. Two more Rocky sequels followed in the ‘80s. The Rocky series is Stallone’s longest-running film franchise.
In 1982, Sylvester Stallone starred as John Rambo in Rambo: First Blood. This would become yet another long-running film series. Four more Rambo sequels have been released to date.
Stallone witnessed a decline in popularity from the late-‘80s after starring in Over the Top, which received moderate critical and commercial success. However, he shot back to the limelight whenever he released a Rocky or Rambo film.
Stallone’s 1993 film Cliffhanger and 1996’s Daylight were both a tremendous success. His next big hit was in the sixth installment of the Rocky film released in 2006 and the fourth installment of the Rambo series in 2008.
In 2010, Sylvester Stallone began writing, directing, and starring in his most successful film franchise in recent years – The Expendables. He has since followed up with two more sequels (2012 and 2014), with the fourth sequel set to be released soon.
In 2013, Stallone starred in Escape Plan. He reprised his role in the film’s 2018 second installment.
In 2015, Stallone starred in the first installment of Creed. He reprised his role in Creed II (2018).
Since 2022, Stallone has starred in Paramount+’s television series Tulsa King.
Sylvester Stallone’s Net Worth
Sylvester Stallone is the only American actor to have starred in a box-office #1 film over six consecutive decades. His movies have collectively generated over $4 billion in global revenue.
As at September 1, 2023, Sylvester Stallone had a net worth of $400 million. What makes Stallone so rich is that he has written, produced, and directed many of his films in addition to starring in them. Below are some of his highest-grossing movies to date;
• Rocky (1976) – Grossed $117 million at the box office
• Rocky IV (1985) – Grossed $300 million at the box office
• Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) – Grossed $300 million at the box office
• Cliffhanger (1993) – Grossed $170 million at the box office
• Creed (2015) – Grossed $170 million at the box office
• Creed II (2018) – Grossed $35.3 million at the opening weekend
• Rambo: Last Blood (2019) – Grossed $91 million worldwide
Besides starring in some of Hollywood’s highest-grossing films, Sylvester Stallone has also received decent paychecks from his movies.
Stallone’s first movie salary was $200 for two days work in the adult film Party at Kitty. He then accepted $23,000 for Rocky (1976), which works out as around $110,000 today.
While Stallone’s earlier movies paid peanuts, he began to rake in millions from the ‘80s. The following are some of his highest-paying films to date;
• Rambo: First Blood (1982) – Earned $3.5 million
• Rhinestone (1984) – Earned $4 million (mostly as a producer)
• Rocky IV (1985) – Earned 12 million
• Over the Top (1987) – Earned 12 million
• Rambo III (1988) – Earned 16 million
• Lock Up (1989) – Earned 15 – 16 million
• Tango & Cash (1989) – Earned 15 – 16 million
• Rocky V (1990) – Earned 15 – 16 million
• Oscar (1991) – Earned 15 – 16 million
• Demolition Man (1993) – Earned 15 – 16 million
• Staying Alive (1993) – Earned $10 million (mostly as a producer)
• The specialist (1994) – Earned 15 – 16 million
• Assassins (1995) – Earned 15 – 16 million
• Judge Dredd (1995) – Earned 15 – 16 million
• Daylight (1996) – Earned 17.5 million
• Driven (2001) – Earned $20 million
• Eye See You (2002) – Earned $20 million
• The Expendables 1 (2010) – Earned 15 – 16 million
• The Expendables II (2012) – Earned 15 – 16 million
Private Life
Sylvester Stallone has been married thrice. His first marriage was to Sasha Czack on December 28, 1974. The marriage ended in divorce in 1985. The couple had two sons – Sage Moonblood Stallone who died of heart disease in 2012 and Seargeoh Stallone.
On December 15, 1985, Stallone married his second wife, model and actress Brigitte Nielsen. The married lasted only two years.
The Rambo actor then marriage his third and current wife, model Jennifer Flavin in 1997. The couple has three daughters – Sophia Stallone, Sistine Stallone, and Scarlet Stallone.
Lessons from Sylvester Stallone
1. Be a tactical negotiator
Excellent negotiation skills can come in handy when dealing with crafty opponents. Sylvester Stallone appears to live by this valuable success lesson, which explains why he refused to sell the script for Rocky unless he starred in the film.
2. Great things take time
Stallone may be one of the wealthiest actors on the planet. But that’s the result of years of patience, determination, and hard work. The Rocky sensation struggled for several years during the earlier stages of his acting career before winning his debut critical acclaim.
3. A little sacrifice can go a long way
Sylvester Stallone’s movies have continually portrayed him as a strong-willed fighter with an unbreakable spirit. It turns out that he’s a fighter in real life too. Stallone has made numerous sacrifices to become the man he is today. He reportedly followed a rigorous workout plan while preparing for his physically-demanding roles in Rocky and Rambo, which included two strenuous workouts daily for six days a week.
Famous Quotes by Sylvester Stallone
• For every guy, there is an opportunity to be a lot better than he thought he could be. We can’t all be the star of the team, but we can be a star in our life. That’s where you set your goal.
• People that spend time in a foxhole – they’re never going to find that relationship anywhere else again… Everything else pales next to that.
• People think retiring is fun. Well, maybe, but if you have a certain kind of fire inside, there is no end in sight.
• When life hits you pretty hard, you can go into a dark corner.
• When you’re scared, when you’re hanging on, when life is hurting you, then you’re going to see what you’re really made of.
Final Word
Sylvester Stallone has left an indelible mark on the global film industry. Although age is quickly catching up with him, Stallone hasn’t expressed interest in exiting the cinematic stage. The Rocky Balboa character is currently worth $400 million.
