Hollywood icon Sylvester Stallone, known for his tough-guy roles in films like *Rocky* and *Rambo*, recently opened up about his painful childhood during a revealing interview on the *Unwaxed Podcast*, hosted by his daughters Sophia and Sistine.
Now 78, Stallone spoke candidly about how years of emotional pain shaped both his life and career. He shared that one of the most intense scenes in *Rocky II*—a heated confrontation between Rocky and his trainer Mickey—was actually inspired by his own unresolved anger toward his father.
Stallone admitted he had long been terrified of his father and lacked the courage or words to stand up to him as a child. Writing that scene, he explained, gave him the outlet to release years of bottled-up frustration, calling it a form of therapy.
The actor revealed that his early childhood was extremely difficult, including being left in a boarding house for the first four and a half years of his life by parents who, he said, never truly wanted him. He recalled his mother making cruel remarks, such as telling him he was only alive because “the hanger didn’t work”—words he initially thought were jokes but later realized were not.
These traumatic experiences left Stallone emotionally withdrawn, and he sought refuge in fantasy, comic books, and fictional heroes like Batman and Superman. He even made superhero costumes to wear under his clothes to school, using them as a source of strength. Over time, Stallone channeled that pain into creativity, writing and starring in the *Rocky* series, which became a global success and a symbol of resilience. Despite the hardship, Stallone has built a powerful legacy and continues to work in film. He’s set to star in the upcoming action-thriller *Armoured*, showing no signs of slowing down. Now, beyond action and drama, he’s earning likes for his emotional honesty and willingness to share his story.