Sylvester Stallone Questions Superhero Bodies in New Memoir ‘The Steps’

Fifty years after ‘Rocky’ catapulted him to fame, Sylvester Stallone is sharing insights from his journey in his new memoir, ‘The Steps’. Released on September 29 by William Morrow, the book chronicles his rise from arriving in New York in 1969 to ‘Rocky’ winning Best Picture at the 1977 Oscars. Publisher materials describe it as a gritty and inspiring account of his unlikely path to stardom, and it is available in hardcover, e-book, and audio formats narrated by Stallone himself.

During his memoir tour, Stallone has been candid about the realities of Hollywood physiques. At a live event with Tracy Smith in New York, the 80-year-old actor challenged the perception that movie stars achieve their bodies naturally. He asked the audience if they truly believed “these guys are natural,” comparing the process of bulking up for superhero roles to wearing a costume for a limited time.

“You really think these guys are natural? If you’re trying to play a sort of superhero or a person that is above and beyond a normal guy, you can’t do it. It’s almost like putting on part of a costume. For six to eight weeks, you manifest that body. And then you shed it.”

Stallone reflected on his own transformation for ‘Rocky III’, noting that he needed to shift the character’s direction to keep audiences engaged. He explained that he had to undergo a dramatic body change, dropping from about 50% body fat to 2.6% through a strict diet of tuna fish, up to 30 cups of coffee daily, and the use of steroids. This figure is based on Stallone’s recollection and has not been independently verified.

“By the time they did ‘Rocky III,’ you’ve lost the element of surprise. Everyone knows what this guy is all about,” Stallone stated. “I wanted him to develop serious narcissism. I wanted him to get his scars removed and be a totally different guy. That would be a story point. He became protected, he’s shielded and vain. And when he finally met Mr. T, or Clubber Lang, that’s where reality hit him. But to do that, I had to do a total body metamorphosis. So I went from like 50% body fat to 2.6%. I did it literally by eating tuna fish and [drinking] maybe 30 cups of coffee a day. And, of course, there’s steroids.”

In a 2023 interview with The Wall Street Journal, Stallone adjusted his target body fat to 2.8% and mentioned a breakfast of oatmeal cookies and 10 cups of coffee. He recalled the toll this took on him, including forgetfulness and severe physical effects.

Stallone’s comments about superhero physiques come after he revealed in an interview with The New York Times that he developed bulimia while filming ‘Rocky III’. He described his body as armor and admitted that the pursuit of the perfect physique turned into an obsession. He confirmed using steroids in cycles, which he said had a significant negative impact on his health.

The physical toll has been substantial, with Stallone disclosing that he has undergone nine back surgeries, two shoulder surgeries, and three neck fusions, although he did not attribute these solely to steroid use. He noted that his perspective on his body began to shift after portraying a weaker character in ‘Cop Land’.

During the live event, Stallone also shared a health scare involving a heart valve replacement, which he underwent after his wife, Jennifer Flavin Stallone, urged him to seek medical attention when he seemed unwell. He believes that the check-up saved his life.

The media coverage of his comments has emphasized the dangers associated with the extreme diet, stimulant use, and drug consumption he described, cautioning that these should not be viewed as training advice.

Stallone’s career continues to thrive as he stars as Dwight Manfredi in ‘Tulsa King’, and the film ‘I Play Rocky’ is set to open in select theaters on November 6, featuring Anthony Ippolito as a young Stallone and directed by Peter Farrelly. Although Stallone was not involved in the making of the film, he praised it as fantastic.

The timing of his remarks about superhero bodies is particularly relevant in an era where transformation for roles is expected. Stallone, who helped define the muscular action hero, offers a stark reminder of the costs associated with such transformations. Whether or not his comparisons resonate, they represent a significant acknowledgment from a legendary actor.

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