Sylvester Stallone is a legend of the big screen who has had an incredible career in Hollywood. The actor came from out of nowhere to win an Academy Award and star in multiple franchises during his peak in the business. Stallone has made millions, and while he has missed out on some huge roles, he has a legacy that few can match.
While filming the Rocky movies, Stallone did anything and everything to make the films larger than life while still feeling real. This led to some method acting moments that subsequently landed him in the hospital.
So, what took place that landed Sylvester Stallone in the hospital? Let’s take a closer look and see what happened and who caused some serious damage to the actor.
Stallone Is A Classic Action Star
Being able to thrive in any type of genre on the big screen is a major feather in the cap for any performer fortunate enough to reach the top. While some actors do pride themselves on being able to have a wide range, some people find their niche and are able to make millions off of their success. Sylvester Stallone, for example, is one of the biggest and greatest action stars to ever grace the silver screen.
Stallone had humble beginnings and had to work exceptionally hard for everything he was able to achieve in Hollywood, and while he has done some solid work in other types of projects, there is something truly special that happens when he appears in an action movie. The Rocky franchise is what really got things going for Stallone, but over time, he would also galvanize the Rambo franchise and star in countless other action hits like Demolition Man and Cliffhanger.
To put it lightly, there are few people in the history of film that come close to matching what he was able to do with his actions movies. Yes, modern superhero movies have certainly been a huge boost for a number of performers like Robert Downey Jr., but this does not diminish the type of success that Stallone found in his most iconic roles.
The ‘Rocky’ Franchise Was A Major Triumph
While considered a sports drama, there is no denying that Rocky, which was originally released back in 1976, is an action-packed affair that instantly put Stallone on the map. This was the franchise that turned him into a household name, and it is one that has had an exceptional amount of staying power on the big screen, especially with the rise of the Creed movies in recent years.
Stallone put himself through intense preparation while gearing up for these movies, and even while filming, he was willing to do anything and everything possible to make the movies look real and believable. Just one look at the physique that he was sporting, especially in the sequel films, will reveal the type of work that still on was putting in.
In an attempt to keep things looking real while filming Rocky IV, Stallone decided to go method with his acting and actually take some punches from co-star, Dolph Lundgren. Turns out, Lundgren was an absolute powerhouse that sent Stallone to the hospital.
Dolph Lundgren Put Him In The Hospital
Per Stallone, “Dolph Lundgren put me in the hospital for nine days. I knew I was in trouble when I showed up and nuns met you at the ICU.”
Stallone revealed that Lundgren’s uppercut “caught the ribs and hit the heart against the ribcage.”
As great as it was that Stallone was willing to go through great lengths to make things look real for Rocky IV, it’s clear that he paid a hefty price for his method acting. Instead of feeling terrible about knocking out the star of the film, Lundgren took everything in stride.
When speaking on his side of things, Lundgren said, “All I did was obey orders. He was the boss. I did what he told me. We came back to L.A. and the producer was like, ‘Hey Dolph, you’ve got two weeks off — Sly’s in the hospital.'”
Ultimately, Stallone would be able to return back to set, and production would finish out. Much like its predecessors, Rocky IV wound up being a monumental success at the box office, and it was another hit movie for Stallone. For Lundgren, the flick was a breakout hit that put him on the map and had a tremendous impact on his young career in Hollywood.
Method acting may have put Stallone in the hospital, but the success of the movie made it worth it.