If asked, many people will remember Slyvester Stallone through his famous movie sequel, Rocky, which was nominated for 10 Academy Awards including Best Actor for Stallone himself. Undoubtedly, he is one of the most popular and highly paid stars in the history of Hollywood. Was he just born a natural talented actor? Let's find out...
Born into a poor family in New York, his family was so poor his mother had to give birth to him on the doorsteps of a school. What's worst? An accident during birth severed a facial nerve, leaving parts of his lip, tongue and chin paralysed. As a result, he has to live with slurred speech and a drooping lower lip.
Despite his limitations, Stallone had the aspirations of being an actor. But unlike most young adults, Stallone's dream to be an actor was not just a mere want, wish or hope. He knew what he wanted - to be a movie star - and he was determined.
Stallone auditioned frequently but because of his droopy appearance, he was turned down most of the time. Occasionally, he would find stage work but it never got him close to his goal. Eventually, he resorted to appearing in a soft core porn film, Party at Kitty's and Studs, which was later repackaged as The Italian Stallion after he became famous. And know what? He was paid only US$200 for his two days work.
For most people, they would have given up long ago. But not for Stallone. He had a strong perseverance and he wouldn't stop until he achieves his dreams.
At the worst part in his life, he was so broke he was forced to sell his dog for $50 in order to survive. It was then that he watched the 'Ali-Chuck Wepner' fight involving Muhammed Ali and Chuck Wepner. At that time, everyone thought that Chuck would have fallen by the third round. What amazed and inspired Stallone was that Chuck miraculously lasted a total of 15 rounds with Ali!
Suddenly, Stallone had an idea. Using the idea of the 'underdog', he wrote a movie script profusely for the next 3 days. That was the birth of his Rocky script.
By then, did Stallone reach his dream of being a movie star? Of course not! He went around selling his script but again, he was rejected from time to time. Did he give up? No, not Stallone.
He kept going, company after company, until one company offered to pay him US$75,000 for his script and the rights to make the movie. Did he pick up the offer?
What made Stallone different from the other people was that he knew what he wanted exactly. He wanted to be a movie star, not a writer and he refused to sell the script no matter how much the company offered him, unless he is cast as the lead actor in the film.
The company did all they could to convince Stallone to sell, but on one condition - that he would not cast in it. After all, how can Stallone be a good actor given his appearance? Or so they thought...
But Stallone stood his ground. Reluctantly, the company gave in to his determination on the condition that the movie be made on a budget of less than a million dollars, that Stallone would only be paid US$35,000 for the script and that he would get a cut in the profits only if the movie made money.
When Rocky was screened in the cinemas, it was a smash hit! It grossed over US$171 million and the film was awarded with the 1976 Academy Award for Best Picture. Unexpectedly, Stallone even won the Award for the Best Actor! Instantly, Stallone's fame skyrocketed.
Finally, he achieved his dream to be a movie star. After all the hard work and effort that he has put in, it is all worth it.
Now, if Stallone can achieve his dreams, so can you. Here's an inspiration quote from Rocky the movie. Hope you like it:
"...it really don't matter if I lose this fight. It really don't matter if this guy opens my head, either. 'Cause all I wanna do is go the distance...if I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings and I'm still standin', I'm gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren't just another bum from the neighborhood."
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