Hollywood action star Sylvester Stallone has opened up about the lasting physical consequences of performing his own stunts, revealing that decades of demanding action roles have left him dealing with significant pain and multiple surgeries.
The actor, best known for his iconic roles in the Rocky and Rambo franchises, reflected on the injuries he sustained throughout his career in an interview with Fox News Digital on October 13. Looking back, Stallone admitted that he sometimes regrets not allowing professional stunt performers to handle some of the dangerous sequences.
When asked about his regrets over doing his own stunts, the 80-year-old actor reportedly described them as “millions, millions,” highlighting the extent to which his career choices have affected his physical well-being.
The Expendables Left a Lasting Physical Toll
Stallone singled out The Expendables as one of the particularly demanding projects that contributed to his physical struggles. The action film required intense physical performances, and the actor revealed that he underwent several major medical procedures following his work on the production.
“After Expendables, I ended up with nine back operations, three neck fusions,” Stallone said.
He also described injuries involving both shoulders and procedures related to his eyes, underscoring the cumulative impact of years spent performing physically challenging roles.
For an actor whose career has been closely associated with intense fight sequences, dangerous action scenes and physically demanding characters, the consequences have been substantial. His experience illustrates how injuries sustained during filmmaking can continue to affect performers long after a production has wrapped.
Sylvester Stallone Says He Has Learned to Live With Pain
Reflecting on the long-term effects of his injuries, Stallone acknowledged that he has had to adjust to the physical limitations that come with them.
“Now you have to make peace with the pain as much as you can,” he said.
His remarks offer a glimpse into the less visible side of an action star’s career. While audiences often see dramatic fight scenes and impressive physical performances on screen, the recovery process and lasting injuries can remain out of view.
Stallone’s comments also suggest that experience has changed how he looks back on the risks he took earlier in his career. Although performing his own stunts may have contributed to the authenticity of his action roles, he now appears to recognise the value of leaving certain dangerous sequences to trained professionals.
A Reminder of the Risks Behind Action Movies
Stallone built much of his screen legacy around physically demanding characters, particularly boxer Rocky Balboa and soldier John Rambo. His performances helped establish him as one of Hollywood’s most recognisable action stars.
However, his recent reflections highlight the personal cost that can accompany a career built around intense physical performances. Repeated injuries, major operations and persistent pain can have consequences that extend well beyond the filming schedule.
Professional stunt performers are trained to carry out dangerous sequences using specialised techniques and carefully planned safety measures. Stallone’s experience serves as a reminder that even experienced actors can face serious risks when taking on physically demanding stunts.
Despite his regrets, the actor’s decades-long career remains closely associated with action cinema. His candid comments provide a more personal perspective on the sacrifices behind some of his most memorable performances and the lasting effects those choices can have on an actor’s body.