This seasoned Hollywood actor endured rejection not only on film but also in his home.
Despite these obstacles, he has emerged stronger and offered the one deep thing that he believes “saved” his life.
This actor’s family was complex, with many marriages and blended relationships. His parents, Jackie and Frank Sr., divorced in 1957 and gave birth to him and his younger brother, Frank Jr. Following the breakup, his mother remarried and had a daughter, Toni Ann, in 1964.
Despite growing up in a fractured home, the actor’s early struggles were not restricted to his relationships with his siblings. He spent four and a half to five years in a boarding house in Jackson Heights, where his parents dropped him off.
These early events had a lasting impact on the actor, transforming him into a loner and impacting how he interacted with people. His mother’s statements exposed the severity of the neglect.
The star remembered her words, “‘The only reason that you’re here is because the hanger didn’t work, or bouncing down on those steps didn’t cause you to get lost.’”
These heartbreaking words provided an insight into his mother’s tumultuous background, which, according to the actor, influenced her incapacity to express affection.
This lack of affection and stability at home continued into his scholastic life. As a child, the actor was expelled from 13 schools after being informed repeatedly that he did not fit in.
Because of his unconventional behavior, led him to military schools, including institutes for problematic kids.
His problems persisted into adulthood when he reached rock bottom. Arriving in New York City with little money, he stayed in a bus terminal because he couldn’t afford a room.
As he pursued acting opportunities, he feared being stuck as a “professional extra” since he “didn’t fit a certain mold” or the image of a traditionally handsome leading man.
The actor, who openly discussed having plastic surgery, explained that nerve damage from birth left the left side of his face partially paralyzed. Later, significant weight loss caused that side to sag, prompting him to have it surgically lifted.
During those difficult days, he relied on a single coat to endure the bitter NY winters. He reflected on its significance in an interview, “That coat saved my life.”
On the career front, growth was slow, and he was frequently rejected as uncastable. Rather than giving up, the frequent rejection strengthened his drive to press even harder.
That persistent resolve eventually propelled him to incredible achievement. Today, Sylvester Stallone is regarded as one of the most prominent action film performers, best known for his renowned “Rocky” trilogy.
