SunJul 6

Featured

Movie Actor

Sylvester Stallone

July 6, 2025

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Sylvester ‘Sly’ Stallone, born July 6, 1946, achieved commercial success as boxer Rocky Balboa in the first installment of the “Rocky” film franchise at 30 and has since become one of the most legendary action actors on the silver screen. Only six years later, he portrayed the titular character of macho man John Rambo in the first “Rambo” movie, “First Blood,” firmly establishing him as an A-list action star. Celebrate the birthday of the actor, producer, and director with these fun facts.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone

Nickname:

Sly, The Italian Stallion, Sly Stallone

Birth date:

July 6, 1946

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Cancer

Height:

5' 9.6"

Relationship Status:

Married

Net Worth:

$400 million

Background

Sylvester ‘Sly’ Stallone, born Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone, is undoubtedly one of the most famous and successful action actors of the 20th and 21st centuries, having starred in multiple acclaimed action film series such the “Rocky” and “Rambo” franchises. The actor had a… rocky start in acting, having struggled for nearly 10 years to land a successful role before the first “Rocky” film. The actor was born on July 6, 1946, in the rough and tough Manhattan suburb, Hell’s Kitchen. His zodiac sign is Cancer and his heritage is Italian on his father’s side and French-American on his mother’s side. He is the son of Francesco ‘Frank’ Stallone Sr., a hairdresser and beautician, and Jacqueline ‘Jackie’ Stallone, a dancer and astrologer. His mother was an avid supporter of women’s wrestling, and even opened a gym called Barbella’s. which inspired the actor’s love of the action genre. While still a student at the University of Miami, Stallone starred in his first film, “That Nice Boy,” in 1968.

The actor then moved from Florida back to his native state of New York, taking on odd jobs like zoo-keeping and movie theater ushering to make ends meet. Stallone was on the verge of giving up on his dreams of becoming a big-time Hollywood actor after auditioning for a part in “The Godfather” and failing to get the part. However, the actor continued to act in various theater productions, and between 1972 and 1974, he played Stanley in the play “The Lords of the Flatbush,” a coming-of-age story about four Brooklyn teenagers. In 1976, the actor made his breakthrough in the smash-hit film “Rocky,” playing the titular character Rocky Balboa, a struggling boxer attempting to punch above his weight. In 1975, the actor wrote the script himself, and it was eventually purchased by producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff. The “Rocky” series, along with franchises such as “Rambo” and “The Expendables,” earned the actor a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a spot in the International Boxing Hall of Fame, and a Golden Globe award for ‘Best Supporting Actor.’

The well-known actor is no stranger to controversy, and his personal life has made headlines over the years. Stallone has been married three times, caught with nearly 50 vials of steroids, and had run-ins with the police over assault allegations, none of which resulted in charges. Despite his personal difficulties, Stallone has been nominated for more than 70 awards in the film and television industries, winning over 30 of them. He is currently working on new installments of the “Rocky,” “Rambo,” and “The Expendables” film franchises. Stallone has also appeared in the Marvel and D.C. cinematic universes, taking on the role of Starhawk in the second “Guardians of the Galaxy” film and voicing King Shark in “The Suicide Squad,” respectively.

Career timeline

1973

Stallone Lands His First Film Role

The actor stars in his first silver screen production in the independent film “No Place to Hide,” the first of many minor/supporting roles.

1976

The Box-Office Hit “Rocky”

Stallone takes on the role of the titular character, struggling boxer Rocky Balboa.

1977

“Rocky” Achieves Critical Success

Stallone takes home the Oscar for ‘Best Picture, Best Directing, and Best Film Editing’ for his movie.

1982

Next Acclaimed Franchise, “Rambo”

The actor takes on the role of Vietnam war veteran John Rambo in the first “Rambo” film, “First Blood.”

2010

Stallone Acts In “The Expendables”

After decades of unsuccessful films, the actor writes and stars in the smash-hit film “The Expendables” alongside action heavyweights Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, and Bruce Willis.

2017

Stallone Joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe

The actor plays the role of antagonist Starhawk in Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy.”

2021

Stallone Stars In the Rival Comic Universe

The actor joins the D.C. universe as the voice actor for the character of King Shark in “The Suicide Squad.”

Why We Love Sylvester Stallone

He’s a committed father
The famous actor has five children, all of whom he adores. In the titular franchise, he cast his son Sage as Rocky's son, and he adores his other son Seargeoh and his three daughters, Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet.
He re-adopted his dog, which he had been forced to sell
Before achieving commercial success, Stallone was forced to sell his dog because he couldn’t afford to care for him. However, after becoming a millionaire, he tracked down his beloved pet and purchased him for $3,000.
He cherishes his friends
Despite a two-decade-long rivalry with bodybuilder, actor, and governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the two men have become lifelong friends. On the weekends, they play chess and go shopping together.

5 Surprising Facts

Doctors mishandled the actor’s birth
During labor, his mother’s obstetrician misused a pair of forceps, giving the actor his signature facial droop and slightly impeded speech.
He attended university in Switzerland
Before studying in Florida at the University of Miami, Stallone studied at American College, a university in Leysin, Switzerland.
The actor is also an author
In addition to writing many of his films’ screenplays, the actor also wrote a full-length novel called “Paradise Alley.”
He has his own brand of water
Stallone owns Sly Water, an upscale brand of bottled water.
Stallone is well-acquainted with museums
Some props from the “Rocky” franchise are housed in the Smithsonian Museum and the famous scene of Rocky training was filmed on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Sylvester Stallone FAQs

Does the character of Rocky have a disability?

The actor has revealed that he wrote the character of Rocky as having ‘cavum septi pellucidi,’ a condition caused by traumatic brain injury resulting from a heavy impact to the head.

Does Stallone have any injuries?

Because Stallone does many of his stunts, he has sustained multiple injuries while filming, including breaking his neck during the filming of “The Expendables.’’