What Sylvester Stallone's Chaotic Relationship With His Father Was Really Like - The List (2024)

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What Sylvester Stallone's Chaotic Relationship With His Father Was Really Like

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ByShreya Mali

What Sylvester Stallone's Chaotic Relationship With His Father Was Really Like - The List (4)

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The following article includes allegations of child abuse.

Sylvester Stallone's tumultuous childhood began from the moment he was born. In his 2023 Netflix documentary, "Sly," he explained that his mother, Jackie Stallone, boarded a bus while nine months pregnant and went into labor during the ride. Eventually, passengers managed to rush Jackie to the charity ward of a hospital, where the doctor made a grave error in delivery that caused the paralysis of half his mouth. As a result, Sylvester developed a permanent snarl and a speech impediment, both of which naturally became fodder for his childhood bullies.

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To make matters worse, things weren't so great at home either. The "Rocky" star's parents had an explosive relationship and struggled to make ends meet.Eventually, they decided they couldn't handle the toll of raising children, so they dropped Sylvester and his brother, Frank Stallone Jr., off at an elderly home for five years. The actor got candid about that dark time in his life when he appeared on his daughters, Sophia and Sistine Stallone's,"Unwaxed" podcast.

Sylvester started by sharing that his parents may have been victims of generational trauma. The action star detailed, "My average friends were about 90 [years old]. At the time, it wasn't a big deal. But when you look back at it, it wasn't exactly a smart choice." He added,"In fairness to myself, I wasn't raised in the right way. My brain has always been flipped sideways." When he wasfive, Sylvester moved back in with his parents, which sadly only brought more trouble as he dealt with his abusive father — especially following their divorce.

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Sylvester Stallone claims he suffered physical and mental abuse at the hands of his father

What Sylvester Stallone's Chaotic Relationship With His Father Was Really Like - The List (5)

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Sylvester Stallone's abusive upbringing toughened him up for Hollywood. In his documentary, the actor explained that he developed a high tolerance for mental and physical pain because of his abusive upbringing. Sylvester's father, Frank Stallone, was a polo player, and that talent carried over to him. When the "Expendables" star was 13, he competed in the sport on a national level, which should've made his dad's heart swell with joy.Unfortunately, Frank reportedly began to feel insecure about his own achievements as a result.

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At one point, he even stormed onto the field in the middle of Sylvester's run. Frank then roughly dragged him off his horse, sent him tumbling to the ground, and left his son to absorb the painful fall after taking the animal away. After that, Sylvester couldn't bring himself to play the sport until he was 40.According to El País US,Jackie Stallone described her former husband as "the most sad*stic man God has ever allowed on this earth."

He barraged his son with verbal and physical abuse, belittling him with phrases like: "Why can't you be smarter, you'll never be anything, you're born with paralysis, why don't you join the Navy, you'll never make it in school." Sylvester wrote one of these phrases into "Rocky," and it became an iconic line: "You were born without much brain, so you better start using your body."

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Frank Stallone shared a pearl of wisdom with Sylvester on his deathbed

What Sylvester Stallone's Chaotic Relationship With His Father Was Really Like - The List (6)

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Sylvester Stallone is no stranger to channeling his trauma into his work. In "Sly," he revealed that his father, Frank Stallone, inspired his explosive performance in "Rambo."Further, "Rocky" director John Herzfeld also appeared in the documentary andrevealed that after the film's success, Frank approached him with the idea of making an eerily similar movie that revolved around boxing. Herzfeld didn't pursue the venture because he believed Frank was trying to one-upSylvester's masterpiece. He advised Frank to share the idea with his son, to no avail.

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Apparently, Frank had already informed Sylvester about his plans, and the actor was vehemently against the idea because it veered too close to his creation. Although they had a strained and complicated relationship, the father-son duo still managed to have a heart-to-heart when Frank was nearing the end of his life and offered Sylvester a rather ironic pearl of wisdom: "Learn to love and forgive people."

Sylvester shared his reaction to this advice in the Netflix documentary: "I said, 'Really? That just comes to you now as the f***ing angels are about to whisper in your ear. He goes, 'Yeah you should learn,'" (viaYahoo! UK). Then, the two shared a sweet moment as they laughed over the bizarre timing of this advice. For his part, Sylvester has five kidsbut he had a complicated relationship with his late son, Sage Stallone, that mainly stemmed from Sage feeling like he could never live up to his father's legacy.

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If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.

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What Sylvester Stallone's Chaotic Relationship With His Father Was Really Like - The List (2024)

FAQs

What Sylvester Stallone's Chaotic Relationship With His Father Was Really Like - The List? ›

Frank Stallone Sr. was physically and emotionally abusive towards his son. In Sly, Stallone recalls his father grabbing him by the throat and throwing him off a horse midway through a polo match. He was just 13 years old at the time, but was on his way to becoming nationally ranked.

What was Sylvester Stallone's father like? ›

“I was raised by a very physical father,” he added. "Nothing was ever settled verbally. It was usually a physical ultimatum." Stallone goes on to explain that he "was no stranger to serious pain" and that he and his brother faced violence growing up.

Was Sylvester Stallone's father jealous of him? ›

While living in Maryland, Stallone started playing polo and became a nationally ranked player by age 13. However, Frank Stallone Sr. appeared to be jealous of his son's success, saying, "My father wasn't liking that so much."

Did Sylvester Stallone have a relationship with his mother? ›

She had a tumultuous relationship with Sylvester and Frank

In his 2023 Netflix documentary Sly, Sylvester shared that he was born with his “snarl” because his mother went into labor while riding the bus, giving him partial facial paralysis.

Did Sylvester Stallone get along with his son? ›

Despite the learning curve, Stallone and his eldest child were on good terms before his death in 2012. "I got a lot of things out. We broke into tears a few times," Sage told PEOPLE in 1996 about how working on Rocky V changed their relationship for the better. "After the film, everything changed.

What was Sylvester Stallone's childhood like? ›

Stallone lived in Maryland for years, staying with his father after his parents' divorce in 1957. He struggled emotionally and academically and was expelled from several schools. A few years later, Stallone went to live with his mother and her second husband in Philadelphia.

Who was Sylvester Stallone's son? ›

Sage Stallone was born in Los Angeles, California, the elder son and first child of Sasha Czack and actor Sylvester Stallone. He was the brother of Seargeoh "Seth" Stallone, and half-brother of Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet Stallone. He was the nephew of actor and singer Frank Stallone, and grandson of Jackie Stallone.

What is Sylvester Stallone accused of? ›

SNYDE | Sylvester Stallone accused of verbally abusing background actors on TV set of 'Tulsa King'

Do Mr T and Sylvester Stallone get along? ›

“If you work for a man, be loyal to that man”: Sylvester Stallone's Rocky 3 Co-Star Still Loyal to Him Despite Failing Friendship. Collaborating with Sylvester Stallone on Rocky III was a gratifying experience for Mr. T in the 1980s, although he now acknowledges that their relationship has grown distant over time.

Has Sylvester Stallone got any brothers? ›

This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 4 May 2024. Frank Stallone Jr. (born July 30, 1950) is an American actor and musician. He is the younger brother of actor Sylvester Stallone and has written music for Sylvester's movies.

How many marriages has Sylvester Stallone had? ›

How many wives has Stallone had? Stallone has been married three times. His first marriage was to Sasha Czack from 1974 to 1985. They shared two sons.

Is Sylvester Stallone mother Italian? ›

His mother was an American from Washington, D.C., with Breton French and Ukrainian Jewish ancestry, while his father was an Italian immigrant from Gioia del Colle who moved to the U.S. in the 1930s. His younger brother is actor and musician Frank Stallone.

Who is Sylvester Stallone's partner? ›

Jennifer Flavin Stallone (née Flavin;d August 15,1968) is an American model and entrepreneur. She is married to Sylvester Stallone.

Did Sylvester Stallone talk to his father? ›

They managed to meet for a final time, just a few weeks before his dad died. In a vulnerable moment, the Rocky star looked back on the last moments with his father and the emotional conversation they shared. "He's on his deathbed," he said. "He goes, 'You know Sly.

What happened to Sylvester Stallones' dad? ›

Death. Stallone died on July 11, 2011, at his home in Wellington, Florida, at the age of 91, after a battle with prostate cancer. His memorial was held on September 12 at Saint Rita's Church in Wellington, Florida.

What does Sergio Stallone do for a living? ›

Was Rocky a good father? ›

Rocky Cared More About Other Boxers Than His Own Son

That included being with his own son, especially when he was a child and still needed Rocky. Despite that film's conclusion, it's highly likely that Robert resented his father for so quickly abandoning him.

What did Sylvester Stallone's mom do? ›

Jacqueline Frances Stallone (née Labofish; November 29, 1921 – September 21, 2020) was an American astrologer, dancer and wrestling promoter.

Did Frank Stallone Jr. serve in the military? ›

“Stallone spent several years during the Vietnam War as a girls' athletic coach at an American school in Switzerland. He did not serve in the military because of a student deferment and later a medical deferment.”

Was Sylvester Stallone in the military? ›

According to Essentially Sports, despite his talents, Sylvester Stallone has never served in the military. However, in 1969, when he was a student, he was eligible for the draft. Unfortunately, due to partial paralysis in his face, officials had to remove him from the draft.

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