There are many fascinating stories in Hollywood, but few stand out quite like that of a talented veteran whose beginnings were marked by rejection both at home and on the silver screen. Overcoming these hurdles, he has risen to prominence, often reflecting on the small things that saved his life.

Raised in a chilly and unwelcoming home, his parents’ emotional neglect left deep scars. Yet, against these odds, he persisted, and today he stands as one of the most lauded and accomplished figures in the entertainment world.

The actor comes from a complicated family background. His parents, Jackie and Frank Sr., divorced in 1957, leaving behind him and his brother, Frank Jr. Following the separation, his mother remarried and had another child, Toni Ann, in 1964.

Meanwhile, his father went on to have several marriages, adding more siblings to the family tree, including Bryan, Carla, and Dante, born in 1997. Despite these connections, Bryan and Carla have chosen to stay away from the limelight.

Growing up was challenging for the actor, not just because of the size and complexity of his family, but also due to the environment at home. He once shared, “I grew up in a really bad household, it was tough. Everyone felt dissatisfied with their identity. Mom and dad weren’t parents.” Such frankness highlights the void he felt during his formative years.

For several early years, his parents left him in a Jackson Heights boarding house. He described his stay there as “transient,” spent under the care of an older woman who ran the residence. This separation and lack of a traditional family structure had profound effects on him.

As a young boy from New York City, he recalls sitting nightly at a dining table surrounded by others who rarely engaged with him. At just four years old, he found himself isolated during one of the most crucial times of his social development.

These early experiences of emotional neglect turned him into a solitary individual, shaping how he would approach his relationships later in life. His mother’s particularly hurtful remarks exemplified the neglect he felt.

Reflecting on some of her painful comments, he remembers her saying, “The only reason you’re here is because the hanger didn’t work,” or, “Bouncing down those steps didn’t cause you to get lost.” Such remarks painted a picture of her own troubled past.

He explained that his mother’s harsh upbringing at a “cruel orphanage,” where she was “tied to the bed,” “whipped,” and “terribly molested,” left her unable to express affection. He understood this as the reason why she struggled with physical closeness, a trait he found in himself as well.

This lack of a supportive home life influenced his academic journey. He was told from an early age that he simply didn’t belong, leading to his expulsion from 13 different schools.

More often than not, his schooling took place in military academies, some of which catered to troubled adolescents. He described his youth as “adventurous,” if also turbulent.

Turning towards his adult life, he faced poverty and uncertainty. There were times when he slept at bus terminals in New York City, unable to afford housing.

His acting career also got off to a shaky start. He worried about becoming just another “professional extra,” feeling that neither his looks nor his demeanor fit the mold of a typical leading man.

He was open about undergoing plastic surgery. Born with congenital nerve damage that partially paralyzed his left face, he eventually needed surgery once dramatic weight loss left that side notably sagging.

He viewed his surgical scars as misinterpretations of his life’s story but had no issue with them, much like others might view their own adjustments. He put it plainly, “Why not? You get car body work.”

Through all his hardships—sleeping rough and defying stereotypes—he clung to any sliver of stability, even if just a simple coat. He once expressed how, during one of his most challenging periods, “That coat saved my life.”

Meanwhile, his determination to succeed never waivered. Undeterred by repeated labels of being “uncastable,” he pushed tirelessly to prove himself. Rejection only fueled his drive, leading him to work even harder.

He once said that this drive prevented him from leading a typical life. “I had such a fixation on doing something heroic or special,” he shared. For him, each rejection and failure served as a fork in the road—one on which he chose to press forward rather than give up.

This perseverance ultimately brought him incredible success, none other than Sylvester Stallone. Known worldwide for action staples including the iconic “Rocky” series, Stallone saw his father live to the ripe age of 91.

However, maintaining the action-packed persona that made him famous came at a cost. He underwent four back surgeries, two shoulder surgeries, and a spinal fusion after breaking his neck while filming “The Expendables.” This physical toll kept him away from leisurely activities like golf and basketball.

Despite accolades, he also faced criticism, like being named Worst Actor in 2000 by the Golden Raspberry Awards. “When you’re synonymous with blunt-force trauma, you’re not really leaving anyone with thought-provoking aftershocks of your performance,” he mused about his cinematic journey.

His personal life has been as eventful as his professional journey. He’s been married three times; first to actress Sasha Czack in December 1974, from whom he divorced in February 1985, leaving him with two sons, Sage and Seargeoh. Tragically, Sage died of a heart attack at age 36, while Seargeoh was diagnosed with autism.

In December 1985, he married Brigitte Nielsen, but this second union was short-lived and ended in July 1987.

His third and enduring marriage is with model Jennifer Flavin. Married since May 1997, they share three daughters, Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet. Though they briefly filed for divorce in August 2022, they reconciled, and their marriage, now 27 years strong, remains intact.

Sylvester Stallone’s tale is one of overcoming adversity, whether through personal rejection or significant loss. His relentless drive proves that even the most daunting beginnings can lead to extraordinary achievements.