In his Netflix documentary Sly, Sylvester Stallone spoke at length about his childhood. He was born with a singular way of speaking and this is a result of a medical mishap that happened during his birth as well as a lower lip that has always been drooping for the remaining years of his life. This, however, turned out to be the silver lining for the big man as they became his identity in Hollywood.
American actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, and director Sylvester Stallone is best known for playing Barney Ross in The Expendables quadrilogy, Rocky Balboa in the Rocky series, and John Rambo in the Rambo film series. In spite of having a difficult childhood, the Rocky star has gone on to be one of the most adored, bankable, and successful personalities in Hollywood.
Sylvester Stallone’s Tragic Facial Paralysis During Birth
Sylvester Stallone who starred in legendary movies: Rocky and Rambo has revealed that his iconic appearance resulted from a hard time during his childhood. According to Stallone on Sly, he was almost born on a bus and although he was born at a nearby local hospital, it left him with facial paralysis that caused him to have his famous snarl.
“Even though she was nine months pregnant, she kept riding around on the bus. And she went into labor. Somebody was smart enough to get her off the bus, they carried her into a charity ward. And that’s where I was brought into the world via this accident which kind of paralyzed all the nerves on the side of my mouth. So I was born with this snarl.”
There was nothing ordinary about Stallone’s birth in New York City. While taking the bus, his mother Jackie Stallone went into labor. The future actor was born at a charity hospital in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City. It also emerged that he was delivered using forceps which caused damage to his facial nerve resulting in a drooping left eyelid and speech problems.
Stallone had various health issues as a result of the forceps delivery, which included paralysis of the facial muscles. On his left side of the face, nerve impairment caused his mouth and eye to droop. Additionally, this facial paralysis permanently affected his appearance hence making him look tough and ferocious on screen. However, amidst such awful issues in his early days, he strived elegantly.
His struggles and perseverance turned him into an actor who would later play Rocky Balboa in the 1976 movie that would become his biggest hit. Stallone’s story is a perfect example of human resilience. Sylvester Stallone’s birth story is unique and shows that even with difficult beginnings, amazing things can happen if we take care of ourselves well enough.
Sylvester “Sly” Stallone: A Life of Triumph Over Adversity
Sylvester Stallone, more often referred to as Sly, is a Hollywood icon and an eternal emblem of toughness, determination, and triumph over adversity. Stallone’s life was far from a fairy tale with a difficult birth, and facial paralysis which affected his speech and self-confidence. Stallone’s family life was also tough; full of financial difficulties as well as a deteriorating relationship with his dad.
Stallone’s intense desire to be an actor fueled his relentless pursuit of a career in Hollywood. Taking odd jobs while attending acting classes and writing scripts kept him financially afloat for some time. However, in 1976 he had his breakthrough when the low-budget Rocky which he wrote, starred in, and directed.
Also read: Sylvester Stallone Earned Less Than $2000 Per Day For the Most Crucial Hit of His Career
As a result of the worldwide success of Rocky, which grossed $225 million at the box office alone, Stallone was nominated three times for Academy Awards. Yet Rocky was only the beginning. His second iconic character was John Rambo or Rambo who is known for his troubled past in Vietnam fighting for survival in an unkind world. The Rambo film series became a worldwide hit that solidified Stallone’s role as an action hero.
All through his career, Stallone has shown mind-blowing flexibility. His unwavering commitment to portraying characters with depth and emotional vulnerability and his rigorous training demonstrate his inspiring dedication to his craft. Even at 77, Stallone shows no signs of slowing down, with a few energizing ventures ready to go. He is a legend in the film industry, and his legacy is forever etched in the annals of Hollywood history.
The documentary Sly is available to stream on Netflix.
