SYLVESTER STALLONE’S SON ENSURED HE WAS NEVER COMPARED TO HIM — NO ONE SPOKE TO HIM IN HIS LAST WEEK OF LIFE
Sage Stallone, Sylvester Stallone’s son, had a promising career ahead of him, but he dreaded living under his father’s shadows. At his death, many questions were left unanswered. His father has a new Netflix documentary where he made a rare comment about their relationship.
Sage Moonblood Stallone was born in Los Angeles on May 5, 1976. He was the first son of Stallone and actress Sasha Czack. Sage famously appeared alongside his father in the 1990 hit movie “Rocky V,” but their relationship was far from perfect.
Close sources revealed that the movie icon and his firstborn rarely saw eye to eye. Although Sage appreciated the life of comfort and luxury his father’s career earned him, he was unimpressed by Sylvester’s movie characters.
Sage Stallone attends the 1994 Kids Choice Awards at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States. | Source: Getty Images
Friends of the younger Stallone said Sylvester’s comments about his son’s appearance worsened their relationship. The actor would often tease Sage about being too skinny as a child and out of shape as a grown-up. Stephen Wozniak, actor and longtime friend of the Stallones, once remarked about the father-son relationship.
He said:
“The love-hate would go back and forth all the time.”
Jennifer Flavin Sylvester Stallone and his son Sage Stallone at a polo match in 1988 | Source: Getty Images
Stallone has a documentary on Netflix called “Sly” where he opened up about some of the onscreen moments he shared with his son and made a rare comment about their relationship.
REKINDLING A GOOD RELATIONSHIP
Sage was left irritated when his father chose the slimmer Milo Ventimiglia in “Rocky Balboa” to reprise the Rocky Jr. role that Sage had portrayed as a youngster in “Rocky V.”
Sylvester Stallone and Sage at the Sylvester Stallone’s Paintings Opening Night Exhibition and Cocktail Reception on September 10, 1990 at Hanson Galleries in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Close friends stated that Sage was eager to play the role, but being snubbed by his father was a huge disappointment. For his part, Sylvester was far from impressed with his son’s neglect of his physical appearance.
The dueling father-son took their differences public in 1996 when the “Rocky” actor revealed that Sage hated visiting the gym and was interested in abstract art-house movies. The 77-year-old said Sage ensured he would never be compared to his dad.
Sylvester’s 1985 split from his ex-wife, Sasha, Sage’s mother, was another source of bitterness for the younger Stallone. In addition, Sylvester’s affair with Brigitte Nielsen left Sage disappointed in the screen legend.
Actor Sylvester Stallone with his arm around his son, Sage Stallone, in scene from motion picture Rocky V.. | Source: Getty Images
The pair continued to work together in movies, and Sage once confessed that some of their roles were emotionally charged and involved less acting and more real-life expressions.
Sage said his scene in “Rocky V,” where his character yelled at Sylvester for being an absent father, was far from acting. Instead, Sage said he released his bottled-up emotions, and they both wept. Afterward, their relationship changed, and they were ready to do anything for each other.
Stallone confessed that “Rocky V” was based on his personal life. He revealed that Rocky Jr.’s neglect in the film was “too personal.” The actor went on to admit that some of the things he wished he had done differently in reality were often corrected theatrically.
Sage Stallone at the “Demolition Man” Westwood Premiere in Los Angeles in 1993 | Source: Getty Images
Therefore, when Rocky Jr. felt that Tommy was taking his place in his father’s life, Stallone realized some parts of his life that he could have prioritized more. He confessed, “A lot of that is true. Unfortunately, you put things before your family. And the repercussions are quite radical and devastating.”
Sage’s attorney, Braunstein, was also asked how Sage felt about his father, and George said the late 36-year-old loved his father and was proud of him.
Actor Sylvester Stallone and his son actor Sage Stallone on set of the MGM/UA movie “Rocky V” in 1990. | Source: Getty Images
SAGE’S UNTIMELY DEATH
In 2012, 36-year-old Sage was found lifeless in his home in the 8100 block of Mulholland Terrace in Studio City. His lawyer disclosed that his housekeeper had discovered his dead body.
