There's no set path on making it in Hollywood, as all performers have their own journey to the top. Some have it much harder than others, and this includes Sylvester Stallone, whose road to superstardom was quite difficult.
Stallone has had major box office hits, some pretty bad misfires, and he's made a fortune while doing so. While he's archived everything someone could hope for, he still has more on the horizon.
The actor has become known for many things, including his distinct look. Fans have long wondered about Sly's facial structure, and we have some clarity about his notable look below.
Sylvester Stallone Is A Legend
When compiling a list of hte greatest action movie stars of all time, there is just no way of omitting Sylvester Stallone. In truth, the actor would have to be near the top of the list, and this is thanks to starring in multiple action franchises, and by having decades of success in the business.
Rocky was the film that turned Stallone into a powerhouse on the big screen, and that 1970s classic started his first major film franchise. That might have been enough for some, but Stallone saw the bigger picture, pursuing other movies that could help his star burn brighter.
During the 1980s, Stallone started the Rambo franchise, giving him yet another classic set of films to bank on. This helped take his stock to another level, and it gave him yet another iconic charcater to add to his growing list of accomplishments.
Once the 2000s came knocking, Stallone kicked off the Exapndables franchise. It's not a classic in the same way that Rocky and Rambo are, but the films were wildly successful, and they wre loaded with stars.
Outside of his franchise film work, Stallone has countless hits under hie belt, all of which helped him become a legend of cinema.
Throughout his career, the actor has been known for many things, with his distinct facial features being among them.
Sylvester Stallone Made Bank Of His Image
"Fans of Rocky, Rambo, and many other action movies have come to know and love the distinct snarled lip and tough facial features of Sylvester Stallone. They are seen as unique aspects of a successful actor who frequently depicts rough and tumble characters," Do You Remember writes.
The site also touched on how Stallone's natural facial features have contributed to his career.
"His permanent scowl fits in perfectly with the action movie characters he depicts such as Rambo. Furthermore, Stallone’s slightly slurred speech doesn’t seem to be too much of a problem. It even adds to his depiction of characters like Rocky Balboa, who famously wasn’t much of a brain," the site stated.
Of course, Hollywood is a place known for its figures changing their appearance to get ahead of the game. Others, however, have rocked the natural look, flaws and all. Given the shape of Stallone's mouth, some have wondered about whether Stallone was born with facial paralysis.
Was Stallone Born With Facial Paralysis?
First, let's start with a look at what facial paralysis is, per LA Peer Health.
"Facial paralysis refers to not being able to voluntarily move some or all of the muscles of the face, which is typically the result of some type of damage to the facial nerve (also referred to as cranial nerve [CN] VII). These muscles are responsible for vital functions such as chewing, speaking, closing the eyes, and expressing moods and emotions. As a result, facial paralysis has the potential to be a devastating condition. Most commonly the paralysis occurs on one side of the face (unilateral); less commonly the paralysis occurs on both sides of the face (bilateral)," the site explains.
The site then goes on to list some celebrities that have lived with facial paralysis, and this list includes none other than Sylvester Stallone.
"The, actor famous for his roles as “Rocky Balboa” and “John Rambo”, was actually born with facial paralysis resulting from birth complications. The residual effects of Bell’s palsy are responsible for his crooked smile and slurred speech pattern," the site wrote about the action star.
This provides a lot of clarification regarding Stallone's trademark look. It's something the star has always been known for, and now fans can have an understanding about the reason behind it.
Sylvester Stallone's unique look helped set him apart from the pack while coming up in Hollywood. And to think that it all stems from something that he might have been self-conscious about at one point.