Hollywood action icon Sylvester Stallone is a father of five. The Rocky franchise star is a responsible and loving father who shares a great relationship with all his children. However, the 77-year-old himself had a difficult childhood. Not only were Stallone’s parents irresponsible toward their child, the Cliffhanger actor felt unwanted in his home. In fact, for around five years, Stallone lived in a boarding house.

The 77-year-old actor appeared on the Unwaxeed Podcast on November 21. Stallone’s daughters, Sistine and Sophia Rose Stallone host the podcast and invited their father for an exclusive interview. During the interview, Stallone’s daughters asked their father about his difficult childhood, and his story bore a stark resemblance with former rival-turned-friend Arnold Schwarzenegger. Like Stallone, the True Lies actor also grew up in a less-than-ideal household before moving to America alone. 

Sharing similarities long before their paths crossed

When his daughters asked Stallone about his childhood, the 77-year-old recalled unpleasant memories. “I grew up in a really bad household… it was tough,” responded the actor. Stallone didn’t want to list all the problems he faced growing up with his parents, but he explained that neither of his parents was happy. “Everyone was extremely unhappy with who they were,” said Sly.

The actor’s parents were “discontent” with themselves as individuals. This discontent affected their lives and relationships negatively. Even Stallone’s birth didn’t help. In fact, Sly explained that for around five years of his childhood, he lived in a boarding house, and neither parent spent time with him. Surrounded by adults, he had no friends and developed into a loner.

The 77-year-old’s difficult childhood mirrors that of Arnold Schwarzenegger in more ways than one. While The Terminator actor’s mother was caring, she was immensely strict. However, Arnie’s father was an alcoholic who, like Stallone’s parents, was discontent. Gustav Schwarzenegger had sided with the Germans when they invaded Austria during World War 2. However, after the war, he felt disillusioned and became a bitter person, incapable of showing love or support toward Schwarzenegger. However, the former rivals conquered their circumstances.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone beat the odds

Arnie and Sly had difficult childhoods. However, the 80s action cinema icons didn’t let their circumstances beat them. Despite the difficulties, Schwarzenegger chased his bodybuilding dreams. The former Mr. Olympia burned all his savings to come to America. He worked over 12 hours a day and succeded in fulfilling all his dreams.

Similarly, Sylvester Stallone had a passion for acting. While Stallone was never an athlete, the actor toiled and struggled for years before getting his big breakthrough Rocky (1976). While the actors started off on the wrong foot, their rivalry helped them become Hollywood legends. Through success, Arnie and Sly made their and their parents’ lives better.

Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger had difficult childhoods. Not only did they grow up with severe financial limitations, but they often didn’t find their own homes to be safe spaces. Maybe that’s why the Hollywood icon made sure to not repeat the mistakes of their parents and share a great bond with their children.

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