Sylvester Stallone

Date of Birth
6 July 1946, New York City, New York, USA

Birth Name
Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone

Nickname
Sly
Michael (as a teenager)
The Italian Stallion

Height
5' 9½" (1.77 m)

Mini Biography
Sylvester Stallone became one of Hollywood's highest paid actors, usually playing monosyllablic, antisociety, underdog heroes. While Stallone has attempted to extend his range into film comedies and drama, his real box office success continues in action films.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Ray Hamel

Mini Biography
This athletically built, dark-haired U.S. actor/screenwriter/director of European parentage may never be mentioned by old-school film critics in the same breath as, say, Richard Burton or Alec Guinness; however, movie fans worldwide have been flocking to see Stallone's films for over 30 years, making "Sly" one of Hollywood's biggest-ever box office draws.

Born on July 6, 1946, in New York's gritty Hells Kitchen, the young Stallone attended the American College of Switzerland and the University of Miami, eventually obtaining a B.A. degree. Initially, he struggled in small parts in films such as the soft-core The Party at Kitty and Stud's (1970), the thriller Klute (1971) and the comedy Bananas (1971). He got a crucial career break alongside fellow young actor Henry Winkler, sharing lead billing in the effectively written teen gang film The Lord's of Flatbush (1974). Further film and TV roles followed, most of them in uninspiring productions except for the opportunity to play a megalomaniac, bloodthirsty race driver named "Machine Gun Joe Viterbo" in the Roger Corman-produced Death Race 2000 (1975). However, Stallone was also keen to be recognized as a screenwriter, not just an actor, and, inspired by the 1975 Muhammad Ali-Chuck Wepner fight in Cleveland, Stallone wrote a film script about a nobody fighter given the "million to one opportunity" to challenge for the heavyweight title. Rocky (1976) became the stuff of cinematic legends, scoring ten Academy Award nominations, winning the Best Picture Award of 1976 and triggering one of the most financially successful movie franchises in history! Whilst full credit is wholly deserved by Stallone, he was duly supported by tremendous acting from fellow cast members Talia Shire, Burgess Meredith and Burt Young, and director John G. Avildsen gave the film an emotive, earthy appeal from start to finish. Stallone had truly arrived on his terms, and offers poured in from various studios eager to secure Hollywood's hottest new star.

Stallone followed Rocky (1976) with F.I.S.T (1978), loosely based on the life of Teamsters boss "Jimmy Hoffa", and Paradise Alley (1978) before pulling on the boxing gloves again to resurrect Rocky Balboa in the sequel Rocky II (1979). The second outing for the "Italian Stallion" wasn't as powerful or successful as the first "Rocky"; however, it still produced strong box office. Subsequent films Nighthawks (1981) and Victory (1981) failed to ignite with audiences, so Stallone was once again lured back to familiar territory with Rocky III (1982) and a fearsome opponent in "Clubber Lang" played by muscular ex-bodyguard Mr. T. The third "Rocky" installment far outperformed the first sequel in box office takings, but Stallone retired his prizefighter for a couple of years as another mega-franchise was about to commence for the busy actor.

The character of Green Beret "John Rambo" was the creation of Canadian-born writer David Morrell, and his novel was adapted to the screen with Stallone in the lead role in First Blood (1982), also starring Richard Crenna and Brian Dennehy. The movie was a surprise hit that polarized audiences because of its commentary about the Vietnam war, which was still relatively fresh in the American public's psyche. Political viewpoints aside, the film was a worldwide smash, and a sequel soon followed with Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), which drew even stronger criticism from several quarters owing to the film's plotline about American MIAs allegedly being held in Vietnam. But they say there is no such thing as bad publicity, and "John Rambo's" second adventure was a major money spinner for Stallone and cemented him as one of the top male stars of the 1980s. Riding a wave of amazing popularity, Stallone called on old sparring partner Rocky Balboa to climb back into the ring to defend U.S. pride against a Soviet threat in the form of a towering Russian boxer named "Ivan Drago" played by monosyllabic Dolph Lundgren in Rocky IV (1985). The fourth outing was somewhat controversial with "Rocky" fans, as violence levels seemed excessive compared to previous "Rocky" films, especially with the savage beating suffered by Apollo Creed, played by Carl Weathers, at the hands of the unstoppable "Siberian Express".

Stallone continued forward with a slew of macho character-themed films that met with a mixed reception from his fans. Cobra (1986) was a clumsy mess, Over the Top (1987) was equally mediocre, Rambo III (1988) saw Rambo take on the Russians in Afghanistan, and cop buddy film Tango & Cash (1989) just didn't quite hit the mark, although it did feature a top-notch cast and there was chemistry between Stallone and co-star Kurt Russell.

Philadelphia's favorite mythical boxer moved out of the shadows for his fifth screen outing in Rocky V (1990) tackling Tommy "Machine" Gunn played by real-life heavyweight fighter Tommy Morrison, the great-nephew of screen legend John Wayne. Sly quickly followed with the lukewarm comedy Oscar (1991), the painfully unfunny Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992), the futuristic action film Demolition Man (1993), and the comic book-inspired Judge Dredd (1995). Interestingly, Stallone then took a departure from the gung-ho steely characters he had been portraying to stack on a few extra pounds and tackle a more dramatically challenging role in the intriguing Cop Land (1997), also starring Robert De Niro and Ray Liotta. It isn't a classic of the genre, but Cop Land (1997) certainly surprised many critics with Stallone's understated performance. Stallone then lent his vocal talents to the animated adventure story Antz (1998), reprised the role made famous by Michael Caine in a terrible remake of Get Carter (2000), climbed back into a race car for Driven (2001), and guest-starred as the "Toymaker" in the third chapter of the immensely popular "Spy Kids" film series, Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003). Showing that age had not wearied his two most popular franchises, Stallone has most recently brought back never-say-die boxer Rocky Balboa to star in, well, what else but Rocky Balboa (2006), and Vietnam veteran Rambo (2008) will reappear after a 20-year hiatus to once again right wrongs in the jungles of Thailand.

Love him or loathe him, Sylvester Stallone has built an enviable and highly respected career in Hollywood; plus, he has considerably influenced modern popular culture through several of his iconic film characters.

IMDb Mini Biography By: firehouse44@hotmail.com

Spouse
Jennifer Flavin (17 May 1997 - present) 3 children
Brigitte Nielsen (15 December 1985 - 13 July 1987) (divorced)
Sasha Czack (28 December 1974 - 14 February 1985) (divorced) 2 children

Trivia
Oil paints in his spare time and considers Leonardo Da Vinci his personal hero.

On June 27th, 1998, his second daughter, Sistine Rose Stallone was born, with third wife Jennifer Flavin.

Ranked #92 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list. [October 1997]

Daughter Sophia Rose Stallone, 2-1/2, by wife Jennifer Flavin. undergoes open heart surgery at UCLA Medical Center. The procedure went well. [12 November 1996]

On August 27th, 1996, his first daughter Sophia Rose Stallone was born with fiancée, Jennifer Flavin.

Was part owner of the Planet Hollywood restaurant chain with Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Birth complications, caused by forceps, resulted in paralysis of the lower left side of his face, manifested by a perennial snarl and slurred speech.

He sued writer Peter "Taki" Theodoracopulos and the British magazine "The Spectator" in 1991 for suggesting he acted in a cowardly and hypocritical way when he "ducked the Vietnam War." He won the case.

At 15, his classmates voted him the one "most likely to end up in the electric chair."

Second son Seargeoh Stallone (b. 1979) is autistic.

Stallone was paid a mere $60,000 to do Cop Land (1997). It is said that he did the film to play a serious role and escape his action hero cast type.

Listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1976" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 28.

Brother of Frank Stallone, Toni D'Alto and Dante Stallone.

Father of Sage Stallone, who has acted with him in Rocky V (1990) and also Daylight (1996).

Cousin of Paul Dion Monte.

His Miami 24,000-square-foot villa and its three guest houses sold after two years on the market for $24 million.

Dislikes his first name, usually referred to as "Sly."

His mother, Jackie Stallone, is a fan of Jackie Chan. Chan and Stallone are very good friends.

Sued by model Margie Carr, who contends that he tried to force her to have physical relations with him last year at a Santa Monica Gym. [26 February 2001]

Born on the same day as President George W. Bush and Fred Dryer.

14 February 2002 - Sylvester sued his former business manager, Kenneth Starr, for giving him bad business advice. He claims $17M in damages. Part of the advice was for him to hold onto his shares in Planet Hollywood, the now bankrupt restaurant chain, despite it already being in a financial bind.

His father Frank Stallone was a hairdresser and mother Jackie Stallone is a larger-than-life eccentric who's also sought fame as an astrologer and women's wrestling promoter. Her maiden name is Labofish.

CBS considering "Father Lefty" TV series he created and produced for fall 2002 schedule. Star Danny Nucci set to star as offbeat Miami priest if controversial series gets the greenlight.

Has a half-sister Toni D'Alto (Toni Anne Filiti), the daughter of his mother Jackie Stallone and her second husband, Tony Filiti.

3rd child with wife Jennifer, Scarlet Rose born 25 May 2002 in Los Angeles, weighed 7 lbs, 8 oz.

Has a total of five children: Sage Stallone and Seargeoh Stallone with first wife Sasha Czack and Sophia Rose Stallone, Sistine Rose Stallone and Scarlet Stallone with third wife Jennifer Flavin.

Former brother-in-law of Louis D'Alto and Markus Schaub.

Was 23 years old when he got his first starring role in the porno The Party at Kitty and Stud's (1970) (which was re-released and renamed "The Italian Stallion" after his success with Rocky (1976)), in which he played the role of Stud The Italian Stallion. He was paid $200 to play the sex-craved gigolo and appeared in almost every scene nude.

Italian-American

Attended the University of Miami on an athletic scholarship

Went to Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland. Among his classmates were Goldie Hawn and Ben Stein.

On 5 June 1994 he broke up with then-girlfriend Jennifer Flavin by sending her a "Dear Jane" letter via FedEx. They reconciled after one year, on 5 June 1995 and married on 17 May 1997.

Has his look-alike puppet in the French show "Les guignols de l'info" (1988).

Entered into the house of Big Brother VIP 2 (Mexico) for a few minutes as a special guest. He was in Mexico promoting Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003) and was invited to participate.

Turned down the role of John McClane in Die Hard (1988). The part went to Bruce Willis instead.

As of 2004 is the all time Razzie Award champion, with a record 30 nominations and 10 "wins", more than any other person in history.

Mother Jackie Stallone was a fan of Tyrone Power and had originally named him Tyrone Stallone, but when she got the birth certificate it had been changed by Sly's father Frank Stallone to Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone.

Has the distinction of appearing in three of the 100 Most Enjoyably Awful Movies of All Time as listed in Razzie Award-founder John Wilson's book "The Official Razzie Movie Guide": Rhinestone (1984), Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)) and The Specialist (1994). He is thus tied with Joseph Cotten for having the second most titles among the 100. 'Ernest Borgnine' has the most, appearing in four of the 100 titles.

Step-son of Anthony 'Tony' Filiti & Stephen Marcus Levine.

Oddly, 1994 was one of the few years he was not nominated for an acting Razzie Award, even though he had appeared in both Cliffhanger (1993) and Demolition Man (1993), which had been nominated, with "Cliffhanger" receiving a nomination for Worst Screenplay, which Stallone had written himself.

The ten awards from the Razzies that he's "won" so far are Worst Actor of 1985 for Rhinestone (1984), Worst Actor of 1986 for both Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) and Rocky IV (1985), Worst Director of 1986 for Rocky IV (1985), Worst Screenplay of 1986 with James Cameron and Kevin Jarre for Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), Worst Actor of 1989 for Rambo III (1988), Worst Actor of the Decade (1980s), Worst Actor of 1993 for Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992), Worst Screen Couple of 1995 with Sharon Stone in The Specialist (1994), Worst Actor of the Century, and Worst Supporting Actor of 2004 for Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003).

According to Anthony Holden's "Behind the Oscar" (New York: Simon & Shuster, 1993), the great Frank Capra was enlisted in the Oscar campaign for the original Rocky (1976). Capra was quoted as saying, "I think it's the best picture in the last ten years. It's got my vote for the Oscars all the way down the line."

He joins Roberto Benigni, Prince, Kevin Costner, William Shatner, and Tom Green as being the only actors to direct themselves in performances that would "win" them a Razzie Award for Worst Actor.

Attended the first inauguration of President George W. Bush along with other long-time Republican supporters Chuck Norris and Robert Duvall. (January 20th 2001)

In April 2004 he formed his own nutrition company InStone, that produces protein pudding, a testosterone booster, an energy booster and two different protein shakes.

On 8 March 2005 he appeared in his first magazine issue of Sly which came out monthly. He was on the cover of every magazine and did most of the articles and interviews himself.

On 10 May 2005 he published his book "Sly Moves: My Proven Program to Lose Weight, Build Strength, Gain Will Power, and Live Your Dream".

Listed as one of the top heroes of all time by the American film Institute (AFI) on 2003, he listed seventh behind Gregory Peck, Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Humphrey Bogart, Gary Cooper and Jodie Foster.

Had a huge fan following from Bollywood Asia. Film stars like Salman Khan, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Dharmendra, Sanjay Dutt, Sunil Shetty and Hrithik Roshan are his die-hard fans. Sunny Deol even named one of his sons "Rocky".

A noted fan of cigar smoking, he quit smoking cigarettes while filming Rocky (1976) when he was thirty after he found himself getting out of breath in the ring.

Is a fan of "Bollywood" movies

Holds the record for the longest unbroken streak of nominations at the Razzie Awards - thirteen straight years. He received a Razzie Nomination every year (mostly for Worst Actor) from 1985 to 1997.

Did all of his own singing in Rhinestone (1984).

In 1988 he was offered $4 million to do an advert for an American beer commercial under the condition that he cut his hair; when he refused they offered a further $1 million to go to the barber - he still refused.

Stallone has never recaptured the critical success he won initially after Rocky (1976), when Roger Ebert said he could be the next Marlon Brando. He has been nominated a record 30 times for the Golden Raspberry Awards, usually in the "Worst Actor" category, and has won 10 times. The Golden Raspberry Award Foundation awarded him a special "Worst Actor of the Century" award in 2000.

The voice of Lou the cop in "The Simpsons" (1989) is based on him.

Was said to have only $106 in his bank account at the time the Rocky (1976) project was given the green light by producer Irwin Winkler.

He was presented with a certificate of recognition by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for filming Rocky Balboa (2006) in Los Angeles at a time when other filmmakers are moving their business to cheaper states or overseas locations to cut costs. (22 December 2005).

Along with Bruce Willis, he is a staunch supporter of the Republican party.

In the 1950s he and his brother Frank Stallone lived in Philadelphia with their mother Jackie Stallone for approximately two years and attended Notre Dame Academy, a private Catholic school on Rittenhouse Square in center city (no longer there). It is the same school that John Barrymore and Ethel Barrymore had once attended.

In 1986, following the enormous success of Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), Stallone was received at the White House by President Ronald Reagan.

Turned down the lead role in Coming Home (1978) (for which Jon Voight won an Oscar).

Received the first Boxing Writers Association of America's award for lifetime cinematic achievement in boxing at the organization's 81st annual Awards Dinner at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. (5 May 2006)

Moved to Philadelphia in the early 1960s, living in Frankford and Rittenhouse Square. He went to Lincoln High School but never completed 10th grade. In 1963 he enrolled in the Devereux Manor High School in Berwyn, Chester County, a school for emotionally troubled youths.

At the age of five, he returned to live with his parents and younger brother Frank Stallone, this time in Silver Springs, Maryland. After his parents divorced, he moved with his mother and her new husband, a pizza manufacturer, Anthony 'Tony' Filiti, to Philadelphia.

He was honored by the Video Dealers Software Association when he was presented with the "Action Star of the Millennium Award" at the organization's 21st Annual Convention in Las Vegas, NV. [16 July 2002]

In 1971 he auditioned for a small part in Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather (1972) but didn't get it. He decided he might have better luck as a writer. He wrote the screenplay for the modestly successful The Lord's of Flatbush (1974) and had a featured role in the film.

He was a manager for the Lee Canalito vs. Curtis Whitner Boxing Match on his 36th birthday in July 6th, 1982, at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, NJ. His brother Frank Stallone was a corner man for Canalito in this match.

He and Dolly Parton honored with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (June 14, 1984).

His performance as Rocky Balboa in the "Rocky" movies is ranked #64 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.

Rocky (1976) is ranked #4 on the American Film Institute's 100 Most Inspiring Movies of All Time.

The wax figure portraying Stallone as Rocky Balboa at the now defunct Movieland Wax Museum (Buena Park, California) was 5' 7" tall.

His full frontal nude scene was edited out of Demolition Man (1993) prior to release, but can be viewed on the Internet.

In an interview in January 2002, Stallone confirmed he was still interested in reprising his roles as Rocky Balboa and John Rambo, but feared that at fifty-five he was too old. Nearly four years later, in October 2005, he confirmed his intention to make Rocky Balboa (2006) and Rambo (2008).

A lifelong Republican, he is one of President George W. Bush's two favorite actors. The other is fellow action hero and conservative Republican Chuck Norris. Both men attended Bush's inauguration as President in 2001.

Despite his long association with the Republican Party, Stallone supported President Bill Clinton during his impeachment trial and hosted a Democratic fund raiser at his Miami home on 9 July 1998.

Supported Republican candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger in his re- election bid for Governor of California in 2006, and donated $15,000 to his campaign.

Godfather of his son Sage Stallone was his best friend Joe Spinell.

In 1998, following the murder of his friend Phil Hartman, Stallone, then living in England, called for America to ban all guns. This caused some controversy, since he had used guns in many of his movies.

All his children's names begin with the letter "S": Sage, Sargeoh, Sophia, Sistine and Scarlet.

Is a fan of the English soccer team Everton FC.

Was offered a part in Quentin Tarantino's section of Grindhouse (2007) ("Death Proof"), but turned it down.

Pleaded guilty to bringing vials of restricted muscle-building hormones into Australia and faces sentencing next week. Lawyers for Stallone entered the guilty pleas on behalf of the actor, who did not appear before Sydney's Downing Center Local Court. The star was accused of bringing banned substances into Australia after a customs search of his luggage during a 16 February 2007 visit to Sydney revealed 48 vials of the human growth hormone product, Jintropin. (14 May 2007).

Stallone claims to have been able to bench press 385-400 lbs (174.6-181.4 kg) and squat 500 lbs (226.8 kg) in his prime. While in a bench pressing contest with former Mr Olympia Franco Columbu, he severely tore his pectoral muscle and needed over 160 stitches on it. This is why one half of his chest is more veiny than the other.

Is a close friend and fan of Sir Elton John.

Was Joel Schumacher's second choice to play Mr. Freeze in Batman & Robin (1997).

He is most well known for his Rambo and Rocky movies.

Voted "Worst Actor of the Century" by the Razzie Awards in 2000.

Turned down Christopher Reeve's role in Superman (1978), Jon Voight's role in Coming Home (1978), Eddie Murphy's role in Beverly Hills Cop (1984), Harrison Ford's role in Witness (1985), Bruce Willis's roles in Die Hard (1988) and Pulp Fiction (1994), John Travolta's role in Face/Off (1997), Samuel L. Jackson's role in Rules of Engagement (2000), and Kurt Russell's role in Death Proof (2007).

Publicly endorsed Senator John McCain as his choice for Republican candidate in the 2008 presidential election.

Expelled from 14 schools for antisocial and violent behavior before the age of 13.

Born in the charity ward of a hospital in the New York ghetto of Hell's Kitchen. At his birth, the doctor's forceps accidentally severed a nerve in his cheek, leaving him with his trademark droopy mouth.

Was voted the pupil most likely to die in the electric chair.

Along with Jon Voight and Paula Abdul, took part in a fundraising, solidarity concert for the besieged Israeli city of Sderot, which has been hit by more than 7,000 Kassam rockets in the past seven years. Entitled "Live for Sderot," the concert features a performance by Israeli singer Ninette Tayeb. (2 March 2008).

Was considered for the role of "Joey Zasa" in The Godfather: Part III (1990).

Dated Janice Dickinson from December 1993 to July 1994. Sly thought that he was the father of her daughter Savannah Dickinson, but when he discovered that the real father of girl was Michael Birnbaum, he left her.

Turned down the lead role in The Terminator (1984).

Turned down Basic Instinct (1992).

Turned down the Dudley Moore role in Arthur (1981).

Turned down the role played by Keith Carradine in Pretty Baby (1978).

Turned down the roles played by Richard Gere in American Gigolo (1980), An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) and Pretty Woman (1990).

He will receive the prestigious Jaeger-LeCoultre Glory to the Filmmaker Award, at the Venice Film Festival in September 2009, which is awarded to an artist who has "left his mark in contemporary cinema" and has previously been given to cinema heavyweights such as Takeshi Kitano and Abbas Kiarostami. The prize intends to celebrate Stallone's stature as a filmmaker. A festival spokesman said: "Stallone has shown an original eye and an auteur's determination.".


Personal Quotes
Once in one's life, for one mortal moment, one must make a grab for immortality; if not, one has not lived.

That's what Rocky (1976) is all about: pride, reputation, and not being another bum in the neighborhood.

I'm not handsome in the classical sense. The eyes droop, the mouth is crooked, the teeth aren't straight, the voice sounds like a Mafioso pallbearer, but somehow it all works.

[Explaining to The New York Times how he wrote the script for Rocky (1976) in three days] I'm astounded by people who take 18 years to write something. That's how long it took that guy [Gustave Flaubert] to write "Madame Bovary". And was that ever on the best-seller list? No. It was a lousy book and it made a lousy movie.

[In 1976, after completing production on Rocky II (1979)] But there'll never be a "Rocky IV." You gotta call a halt.

I'm not right wing, I'm not left wing. I love my country.

[on Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign for Governor of California in 2003] I think it's very dangerous waters. In that particular field you can't yell "Action!" and "Cut!" and "Take two!" and "Take three!". I personally think actors should remain actors, but I know he's always had blind ambition for that, so maybe it'll work out for him.

[Talking about the proliferation of guns in the U.S., following the murder of Phil Hartman in 1998, who was shot to death by his wife] Until America, door to door, takes every handgun, this is what you're gonna have. It's pathetic. It really is pathetic. It's sad. We're living in the Dark Ages over there. It has to be stopped, and someone really has to go on the line, a certain dauntless political figure, and say, "It's ending, it's over, all bets are off." It's not 200 years ago, we don't need this any more, and the rest of the world doesn't have it. Why should we?

I had no idea Ellen Barkin was in the restaurant. If she was coughing or dying, she was doing it politely. I would have been more than happy to reach down her throat or squeeze her hard. Sat there dumbfounded? Please! I would have rallied round - just to avoid paying the bill.

[1991] I'm 5'10" and weigh 177 pounds. I'm pleased with my body now.

People accept Rocky Balboa as authentic. I can't tell you how many people have come up to me and asked about my boxing career. It's like they really want to believe that Rocky exists. You know, I'm amazed by all of this. At one time I thought people would get over their fascination with the character and move on. Didn't happen. After 30 years, Rocky has taken hold to a degree I never could have imagined.

[Following John Ritter's death in 2003] It's a huge shock. It just makes me realize how fragile life is.

I'm not a genetically superior person. I built my body.

[2002] We're talking about doing another Rambo because I think it's time to combine action with politics.

I'll just go on playing Rambo and Rocky. Both are money-making machines that can't be switched off.

I'm a very physical person. People don't credit me with much of a brain, so why should I disillusion them?

[1999] After I made Cop Land (1997) in which I played a timid, overweight cop, all of Hollywood turned their back. I'm surprised they even gave me this table. I'm like driftwood in here.

I know I cannot hold on to them forever, but I will as long as I can. I pity the first boy to knock on the door for a date. I'm gonna buy ten more Rambo outfits just to make sure they're too scared to put a foot wrong. They will probably all run a mile, which suits me just fine. I know I won't be able to help myself playing the worried dad. My girls were born with the flirt gene. It's very funny, but it also worries me about what a handful I will have in a few years time. I know it's stupid - I just don't want them to grow up. I love my family. I can't imagine life without them all in the house.

I really am a manifestation of my own fantasy.

All art, in this business, is a matter of compromise. It's not one man's vision unless he takes very weak actors.

I'd say between 3 pm and 8 pm I look great. After that it's all downhill. Don't photograph me in the morning or you're gonna get Walter Brennan.

No one likes to fail at anything, but I believe I'm a better person for it. I learned life's lessons. You're given certain gifts and that's what you should try to be.

[on his marriage to Jennifer Flavin] It's been a fantastic revival of my life. As you know, my first marriage didn't go so well, though I have a relationship with my sons, but this marriage has been a second beginning. I used to think my career was number one, so I was gone nine months out of a year, but I learned the hard way that the most important thing is that you start at home and then comes the career.

I think the people who have been so supportive and loyal will be happy with the final chapter in Rocky Balboa's life because I think we bring the character to a final and noble conclusion.

I enjoy comedy very much, but it just wasn't right for me. Sometimes it's better to just stay focused and do what you're really passionate about.

You wake up one morning and you go, "What happened? Where did it all go so fast? There are many more things I want to do." And I figure a lot of people feel the same. A lot of people have so much they want to do, but society says, "Step back, youth must be served." I say, "You're right, youth must be served - after us. Get in line. We're coming back for seconds and thirds, and when we're finished helping ourselves, it's your turn." Just because people get older doesn't mean they abandon their dream or their ability to want to do something, so Rocky is symbolic of still wanting to participate. Rocky says the last thing to age is the heart, so I wanted to do a film that shows our generation is not on the outside looking in; it's still vital and wants to be part of the parade, not watching the parade. I want to show that life is not over at 50. People say, "Come on, grow old gracefully." No, why? I'm not ready. I know people will think Rocky is my story, but it's also my generation's story.

[on Rocky Balboa (2006)] I knew I would go through the embarrassment of hearing all the jokes about me. My wife begged me not to do it, and that's why I wrote a line . . . that I'd rather do something I love badly than to feel bad about not doing something I love.

[on Rocky Balboa (2006) and Rambo (2008)] Maybe these movies wouldn't have been as interesting five years ago, but look what's happened in the world in that time. It's a whole different climate, now.

I'm now starting Rambo (2008) and I'm looking for a young actor to star opposite me. I've been looking for the next Robert Mitchum or Steve McQueen, but the fact is they just don't exist. Tough guys today are getting their hair done at Hollywood hairdressers. Whatever happened to having a beer and scratching your balls?

[on Rhinestone (1984)] You'd have thought we all got together and decided how we could fastest ruin our careers.

[On "40 Days of Musa Dagh," a book about the Armenian genocide that he has wanted to direct for years] The hero, the one who set up the rescue, has fallen asleep . . . The camera pulls back, and the ships and the sea are on one side, and there's one lonely figure at the top of the mountain, and the Turks are coming up the mountain by the thousands on the far side . . . an epic about the complete destruction of a civilization. The Turks have been killing that subject for 85 years.

I abused my body so much throughout my career that I am literally held together by glue. The stuff I took thickens the bones and reinforces the tendons.

I never had extraordinary genes or great bone structure, and I'm still very thin. What I try to do is create a body that every man can look at and say, "You know, with a certain amount of dedication I can achieve the same thing." I try to keep it in the realm of athletic, rather than unapproachable.

[speaking of his life with a wife and three daughters] Living in a house where you are the only man is a little like being the only guy left at The Alamo. They just rule. Even our dogs are female. So there is no chance.

There's something about matching the character with the script. And right now, the script that's being written, and reality, is pretty brutal and pretty hard-edged, like a rough action film, and you need somebody who's been in that to deal with it. - On Senator John McCain

I look back on "Judge Dredd" ias a real missed opportunity. It seemed that lots of fans had a problem with Dredd removing his helmet, because he never does in the comic books. But for me it is more about wasting such great potential there was in that idea... it didn't live up to what it could have been. It probably should have been much more comic, really humourous, and fun. What I learned out of that experience was that we shouldn't have tried to make it "Hamlet", it's more "Hamlet & Eggs."

If I have a regret, it's that I didn't expand my acting when I was building my career. It often sounds pathetic when you hear actors say that they feel sorry for themselves - I've been very very blessed, believe me - but if I had to do it all over again I could have done both. You can do commercial films and then do small, independent, acting films. Bruce Willis has done it well, so it's possible. I wish I had done it, but that wasn't the style back then. You were either a studio actor or an independent actor. So I regret that.

I'm often asked whether Rocky is an extension of myself. But the truth is I wish I could be as noble as Rocky. He never says a bad word about anyone, and he never complains. He's lost 24 times, his record is 54 and 24, he's lost a lot but he's philosophical and knows there will be another day. I'm not that. I wish I were.

Rocky gives out such a good vibe, while Rambo's the Prince of Darkness. The new Rambo is not a feelgood movie. Every actor would like to say that they're Daniel Day-Lewis and that they have this incredible palette, but quite often you're known for certain things. I accepted that. So I said to myself, "Boy, if I could end my career on something, I'd like to finish up the loose ends on Rambo, because the last one in Afghanistan didn't work."

Making Victory (1981) (aka Escape to Victory) was hard work. I thought "Rocky" was tough, but I'd never trained so hard in my life. My waist went down from 33 to 29 inches; I ran every morning, because I was trying to look a little gaunt. We were POWs, after all.

During Rocky IV (1985), Dolph Lundgren had hit me so hard I had swelling around the heart and had to stay in intensive care at St. John's Hospital for four days.

[at Rambo UK Premiere, 2008) I feel like I'm 20 again - but with arthritis!

[on Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler (2008)] Mickey, if anybody deserves an Oscar, it's you. No question about it. You lived it. You earned it. You deserve it. You're an incredibly talented man. It's about time everyone says, 'You know what? Give it to the winner.'

[on what fans can expect from The Expendables (2010)] Let's say we dug up The Wild Bunch (1969) and gave them one more shot.

The whole thing about Rocky (1976) wasn't about him boxing. It was about aging -- that was what made the movie. It wasn't him. It was about her -- him finding love, him making someone's life better -- and, before you know it, the audience identified with it.


Salary
D-Tox (2002) $20,000,000
Driven (2001) $20,000,000
Get Carter (2000) $20,000,000
Cop Land (1997) $60,000
Daylight (1996) $20,000,000
Assassins (1995) $20,000,000
Judge Dredd (1995) $20,000,000
The Specialist (1994) $15,000,000
Demolition Man (1993) $15,000,000
Cliffhanger (1993) $15,000,000
Oscar (1991) $15,000,000
Rocky V (1990) $15,000,000
Tango & Cash (1989) $15,000,000
Lock Up (1989) $15,000,000
Rambo III (1988) $15,000,000
Over the Top (1987) $12,000,000
Rocky IV (1985) $15,000,000
Staying Alive (1983) $10,000,000
First Blood (1982) $3,500,000
Rocky (1976) $23,000
Death Race 2000 (1975) $1,000/week
The Party at Kitty and Stud's (1970) $200