Celebrating 80 Years of Sylvester Stallone's Iconic Roles

Sylvester Stallone is one of the most recognized actors in Hollywood. For fifty years, he has starred in action movies, creating characters that continue to inspire fans worldwide.

Today, as Stallone turns 80, fans can reflect on his career, which is packed with hard work and unforgettable roles.

Five Roles That Helped Shape Stallone’s Career

Here’s a look at the five roles from Hollywood Beat magazine that we believe helped shape Stallone’s remarkable career.

Rocky Balboa, Rocky (1976)
The underdog boxer who became one of the most motivating characters in movies.
John Rambo, First Blood (1982)
A Vietnam veteran whose journey changed the action movie scene.
Barney Ross, The Expendables (2010)
A new-age action hero who united Hollywood’s top action stars.
Gabe Walker, Cliffhanger (1993)
A mountain rescue expert featured in one of the most unforgettable thrillers of the decade.
Creed (2015)
A continuation and offshoot of the Rocky series. Rocky takes on the role of mentor to Adonis Creed, who is the son of the deceased Apollo Creed.

Stallone Says that the Rocky Story Was About…

Stallone told Sports Center, “When I wrote the script for Rocky, I wasn’t just writing a script; I was writing about myself—really, about all of us.”