Sylvester Stallone’s Hollywood journey is an inspiration to many, from his struggle days to the Expendables franchise

In 50 years, actor Sylvester Stallone has managed to establish himself as one of the most successful and versatile actors in Hollywood. His iconic acting journey was full of hardships but thanks to his discipline, Stallone overcame everything. With a remarkable filmography, Stallone will continue to inspire many aspiring actors.

Bursting onto the scene with the 1976 blockbuster Rocky, he proved his versatility as an actor quite early on in his career. Since then, he has starred in various blockbuster action hits that have shaped the genre. The actor entered the industry at the age of 27 and throughout the years, fans got to see him slowly transitioning his look from a wild youngster to a clean mature individual.

1976: The year that changed Sylvester Stallone’s life

Sylvester Stallone in Rocky (1976)
Before becoming an actor, Sylvester Stallone struggled a lot and by 1972, he almost gave up on the dream of becoming a superstar, however, he didn’t stop and finally his hard work paid off. 1976’s Rocky changed his life. Stallone, who starred and wrote the film, became a worldwide sensation.

In 1977, Rocky was nominated for ten Oscars at the 49th Academy Awards, including Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay nominations for Stallone. The film was a massive financial success, earning over $225 million.

1976-1996: Sylvester Stallone’s journey to becoming an action superstar

Sylvester Stallone in Paradise Alley
With Rocky‘s success, Stallone bagged many big opportunities. The actor also made his directorial debut and starred in the 1978 film Paradise Alley, which earned $7 million globally. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Stallone showcased his talent in various action flicks like Lock Up, Over the Top, Cobra, and Nighthawks.

Sylvester Stallone in Judge Dredd
During this period, Stallone proved his talent by directing, producing, and screenwriting, various movies, leaving a lasting impact on the industry. In 1995, Stallone also appeared in a sci-fi movie called Judge Dredd. With an earning of $113 million, the film performed decently in terms of box office collection.

Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone in Cop Land
In 1997, Stallone gained significant weight in order to portray an overweight sheriff in the crime drama Cop Land in which he starred alongside Robert De Niro and Ray Liotta.

2000-2005: Sylvester Stallone faced various setbacks

Sylvester Stallone in Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over
In 2000, Stallone witnessed a sharp decline in his popularity after his movie, Get Carter, which was a remake of the 1971 British film of the same name, was not well-received by his fans and critics. During this period, Stallone’s films were poorly rated and damaged his reputation as an actor.

By 2003, the actor had only one successful film, Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over, under his belt in the 2000s. Although Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over, earned nearly $200 million, Stallone decided to take a break from acting.

2006: The year of comeback

Sylvester Stallone in Rocky VI
In 2006, Stallone returned to the industry with the sixth installment of his Rocky series, Rocky Balboa. The film was quite successful and earned $156 million globally, making Stallone the talk of the town once again. Two years later, he reprised his role as Rambo with the fourth installment of his Rambo franchise, which made $113 million at the global box office.
Sylvester Stallone in The Expendables
In 2010, the actor also starred, wrote, and directed The Expendables, another one of his successful franchises. With 4 Expendables movies, the franchise has made over $850 million. In the late 2010s and early 2020s, the actor appeared in various movies, also exploring the world of producing in the process. Today, Stallone remains a prominent figure in Hollywood who will inspire many with his hard work and dedication. The actor’s highest-grossing movie is his second Expendables movie with him in a leading role. Apart from that, the recent Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is his highest-grossing movie too.