"Made me insufferable” — When Sylvester Stallone admitted how Rocky movies changed his personality

Sylvester Stallone, a name synonymous with Rocky Balboa's character in an old 2014 interview with BBC admitted that the success of his iconic character, profoundly changed his personality. However, for Stallone, it was for the worse. In a candid interview, he revealed that the success of the movies made him insufferable.

"Rocky made me insufferable," he said

Furthermore, the sudden fame made him believe he was "an authority on everything." Stallone confessed to abusing power and regretted many things he said in interviews during that time. Notably, Stallone illustrated his regrets for the kind of interviews he gave after the success of the movie.

"I read some of the interviews I gave now and wish I could go back and punch myself in the face," he said.

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How Rocky Balboa's character also humbled Sylvester Stallone

Rocky movies played a two-faced role in Sylvester Stallone's life, as the turning point in his career came with a humbling experience. He left the set of Rocky II to attend the premiere of his film Paradise Alley.

To his dismay, only two people were in the audience, and one of them was asleep. Stallone described it as "a humbling experience" but acknowledged it was ultimately "a good thing" that grounded him. The character that brought him fame had also brought hubris, but this low moment reminded him of his roots.

Despite these reflections, Stallone's portrayal of Rocky resonated globally. The underdog boxer’s journey to the heavyweight title became a cultural phenomenon, earning three Academy Awards and solidifying Stallone’s place in cinematic history. Reflecting on his career, Stallone credited this early success with teaching him life’s highs and lows.

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Sylvester Stallone's Rocky drew inspiration from a real-life boxing of boxing legend Muhammad Ali

The movie Rocky drew direct inspiration from a real-life boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Chuck Wepner. Sylvester Stallone watched this fight on March 19, 1975, and it left a profound impact on him.

Wepner, known as the Bayonne Bleeder was widely considered a joke in the boxing world. People believed his only notable contribution to the sport would be how badly Ali would defeat him. Stallone described Wepner as "terribly awkward and unskilled," comparing him to "a heavy bag with eyeballs."

However, Wepner shocked the world by knocking Ali down. Stallone recalled, "It was like a bolt of lightning from some Greek god in the sky." In that instant, Wepner went from being a laughingstock to a crowd favorite.

The fight transformed into a powerful metaphor for personal triumph. Stallone realized it wasn’t about boxing; it was about redemption and achieving the impossible.

"Everybody’s thinking, 'Yes, I’d like to do that!,'" Stallone said.

The fight helped him reflect on the emotional connection people felt watching Wepner’s unexpected moment of glory. This pivotal experience gave Stallone the inspiration for Rocky. He crafted the story of a down-and-out boxer who gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot at greatness.

"I kept saying to myself, ‘Redemption, redemption, redemption... but whose redemption?’" Stallone shared.

Therefore, the fight’s themes of perseverance and self-respect became the foundation for Rocky’s narrative.