‘Tulsa King’ Star Sylvester Stallone Discusses Painful Childhood Ahead of Memoir ‘The Steps’

Few movie stars are as closely associated with their roles as Sylvester Stallone. The grit of Rocky Balboa and the fury of John Rambo have shaped his public persona for decades. Now, Stallone’s childhood is coming to light, adding a deeper understanding of his toughness for fans.

At 80 years old, Stallone is promoting his new memoir, ‘The Steps: A Memoir,’ published by William Morrow. The book spans his arrival in New York City in 1969 to the triumph of ‘Rocky’ at the 1977 Academy Awards. It is set to be released on September 29.

In a recent interview with The New York Times published on September 26, Stallone opened up about a childhood marked by abandonment, violence, and a lack of affection. He mentioned that he intentionally left out some of the darkest experiences in his book, as he didn’t want readers to pity him. Nevertheless, he described those times as insane.

Stallone’s parents divorced when he was around 10 or 11 years old. Following the split, he lived for a while with his father, Frank Stallone Sr., in Maryland, while his mother took his brother to Philadelphia. He characterized his father as volatile and abusive, saying he learned to duck to avoid his father’s wrath.

Before that, Stallone was sent to a boarding house as a young child, where his parents visited only about once a month. He noted that he was effectively raised by strangers, which became a normal environment for him, as his parents were never nurturing.

One particular memory stands out. His father once sent him to a store before church to buy bread, and when he returned with the wrong kind after running into friends, his father reacted violently, kicking and hitting him before leaving him lying in the street.

Stallone also shared that his mother never hugged him, a fact his brother would corroborate. Affection from his father was rare, with one notable exception when Stallone was about 9 years old. After a day with his father’s horses, he fell asleep in the car, and his father rested his head on his knee and placed a hand on his head.

Years later, Stallone confronted his father about their relationship, expressing a wish that they could be the same age for just three minutes. His father, then 68, immediately challenged him to a fight.

Stallone has connected that ferocity to his acting career. When asked about the intensity he brings to Rambo, he attributes it to genetics, noting that his challenging childhood made him tough, albeit in the wrong way.

However, the interview wasn’t solely focused on pain. Stallone revealed that he didn’t experience true love until around age 70, through his wife and children, calling it a significant pity.

This perspective adds depth to his memoir. Publisher materials describe the book as gritty, inspiring, and heart-wrenching, detailing his difficult birth and challenging childhood.

Kirkus Reviews has praised the memoir as well-written and unflinching, highlighting Stallone’s upbringing on mean streets, with a violent father and a mother obsessed with fame. It also notes his revelations about tough moments, including a brief stint in jail and time spent in a juvenile psychiatric ward.

The memoir’s release is symbolic as it marks 50 years since Stallone famously ran up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum, a symbol of resilience. ‘Rocky’ won three Academy Awards, and the memoir explores how that underdog story came to life.

Stallone’s career is far from over. He currently stars in ‘Tulsa King,’ where he also serves as an executive producer and writer, with season 3 premiering on Paramount+ on September 21. The memoir adds another chapter to a career that has spanned over five decades.

For fans, this interview serves as a reminder that even the toughest screen heroes carry hidden stories. It highlights that resilience often emerges from the most challenging circumstances.

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