Sylvester Stallone looks like the most intimidating and toughest man in Hollywood, with his work on the origins of Rocky Balboa serving as proof of his legendary legacy. As a self-made star, Stallone’s early days in acting were not easy-peasy, and getting movie roles was definitely not a piece of cake.
Before working on his would-be masterpiece, Stallone fought for his career in Hollywood and tried to audition for parts in films just to make ends meet. This was a testament to his perseverance and dedication all for the love of the craft.
Sylvester Stallone Frightened Woody Allen To Snag A Movie Role
In an Instagram video, Creed star Sylvester Stallone shared his experience working as an extra in Woody Allen’s 1971 movie Bananas. He recalled it as a pivotal moment in his career, and something that would also inspire others to never give up (via Men’s Health):
“Our life is marked with these crossroads. Something usually happens that changes the course of your life, or it doesn’t happen, and your life doesn’t change.”
This “crossroads” was when Stallone and another actor tried for a part in Allen’s movie as two muggers. Upon entering the subway station where the production was happening, Allen did not think they were intimidating enough, and the assistant director told them they weren’t needed.
“Woody Allen, who is very shy, turned to him, whispered something, and walked away. And the assistant director faced us and said, ‘He doesn’t think you’re intimidating enough.’ I basically said, to hell with it, told my friend ‘I’m out of here.’”
Stallone walked away from the station, but his friend convinced him not to give up, so they went to a pharmacy store, bought Vaseline, and slicked back their hair. They even rubbed grime on their faces to give them that dirty look. Satisfied with their appearances, they went back to the set:
“I saw Woody Allen in the distance, this time I circumvented the A.D., went right up to him, tapped him on the shoulder, he spun around, he was startled, and I go: ‘Do I intimidate you now? Do I?’ You know, overdoing it. And he goes, ‘OK, it’s good, you’re good.’ And we got the part. And if you ever see Bananas, we are there.”
The movie became one of Stallone’s early projects that served as a stepping stone to stardom. Not only did it mark one of his biggest breaks in Hollywood, but also a reminder not to give up without giving a fight.
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Rocky Star Reveals The Secret How To Turn A ‘No’ Into A ‘Yes’
Sylvester Stallone proved resilience and grit are the key to success in his original screenplay of 1976’s Rocky, which he wrote for three days. The story follows an underdog who goes toe-to-toe against a legend and becomes a symbol of tenacity. Stallone used his learning experience with Allen’s movie for the rest of his works:
“Sometimes quitting is not the end all of everything, but it’s rethinking your entry, your introduction, your strategy. We changed a few things, went in with a different attitude, and got the part.”
The fighting spirit remains evident as Stallone shared some valuable life lessons with his fans:
“So, the moral of the story is, sometimes you just have to bend and contort and twist and morph into something you didn’t expect… You’ve got to change it up. Sometimes you have to kick down a door, sometimes you have to climb through a window, sometimes you just change your presentation.”
The 76-year-old actor continues to inspire young hopefuls to reach for their goals and to never let rejections get the best of them. Indeed, anyone has the power to turn a ‘No’ into a ‘Yes’ if they only believe in themselves.
Bananas is available on Prime Video, Vudu, and Netflix.
Source: Men’s Health
