Highlights
- Sylvester Stallone was frequently rejected for Mafia-related projects.
- Despite not getting a part in The Godfather, Stallone’s portrayal of Rocky Balboa make him famous.
- Tulsa King is Stallone’s breakthrough Mafia project.
Legendary actor Sylvester Stallone is one of the most recognized and beloved entertainers in history. From creating and starring in the iconic Rocky film franchise to the Rambo franchise, Stallone has remained relevant in the industry for over fifty years.
Stallone had long wanted to appear in a Mafia-related project, but revealed that he was often turned down. In 2022, he finally got his wish and starred in Paramount+’s Tulsa King. The reason why Stallone was frequently rejected for Mafia projects is quite surprising and shocking.
Why Was Sylvester Stallone Turned Down For Serious Mafia Films Before Tulsa King?
In July 1946, Sylvester Stallone was born to an Italian father and a French and Jewish mother in New York City. Stallone began his career in entertainment in his early 20s and rose to prominence with 1976’s Rocky.
In the initial stages of his career, Stallone auditioned for mafia related films such as The Godfather, even as an extra, but was turned down. According to Fox News, Stallone spoke about the experience in an interview and said that The Godfather’s casting team believed he “didn’t look Italian enough.”
He elaborated and explained, “for some reason, gangsters have this aura, and I’ve been left out every time.”
The Godfather’s producers believed that Stallone was just not the right fit, even for an extra role in Connie Corleone’s wedding. Interestingly, two of the film’s main cast members were not of Italian heritage, Marlon Brando and James Caan.
Though Stallone did not get a part in The Godfather, he did get to contribute to the Italian-American film canon as Rocky Balboa, known affectionately as the Italian Stallone. In the Rocky film franchise, Balboa, a young Italian-American from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, beats all the odds against him and becomes a successful boxer. Rocky has become one of the most beloved Italian-American films of all time, and the character has become a hero to many around the world.
Additional projects Stallone played an Italian-American include:
- Paradise Alley
- The Lords of Flatbush
- Rhinestone
- Cobra
- Oscar
- Avenging Angelo
In Oscar, Stallone plays a mobster, however it is a comedic film and did not show Stallone’s acting ability as a traditional Mafia leader. The film, which also co-starred Chazz Palminteri and Marisa Tomei, was similar in nature to classic comedies of the Great Depression era and was not a Mafia film in the same caliber as The Godfather, Goodfellas, or A Bronx Tale.
How Has Tulsa King Fulfilled Sylvester Stallone’s Dream?
According to Variety, Sylvester Stallone described Tulsa King as a “fantasy role.” While Stallone has been a part of Italian themed films and television projects, he never had the opportunity to play a mobster in a meaningful role. “I’ve always wanted to play a gangster”, Stallone said in an interview.
Tulsa King, which first premiered in 2022, is about a gangster who finishes his jail sentence and is sent by higher ups to create and oversee a new crime family operation in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The show, which Stallone also executive produces, combines mafia and western genres. It is not only Stallone’s breakthrough mafia project, but also his first major script-based television series.
While Sylvester Stallone had some experience with playing a mobster in Oscar, his performance was not taken seriously. Tulsa King provided him the opportunity to play a convincing mob boss. With Stallone’s impeccable resume and status, it was only a matter of time before he contributed to an authentic Mafia role.
The first season of Tulsa King premiered in November 2022. After its initial success, the show was renewed for a second season. Fellow Italian-American actors, Domenick Lombardozzi, who appeared in A Bronx Tale and The Irishman, and Vincent Piazza, who played Lucky Luciano in Boardwalk Empire and Tommy DeVito in the Jersey Boys film adaptation, co-star alongside Stallone in the series.
What Is Sylvester Stallone’s Legacy?
While Sylvester Stallone did not have a serious role as a Mafia boss until Tulsa King, he has enjoyed a long career playing tough and macho roles. Furthermore, his Italian heritage has had a profound effect on many roles in his career.
Though a young Stallone was told he did not fit the part in The Godfather, the legendary actor certainly provided his ability to play any role he chooses to take on. Most recognized as an action star, Stallone’s career extends far beyond his beloved Rocky franchise. He starred as John Rambo in five films and remained relevant in the 21st century as Barney Ross in The Expendables franchise.
Sylvester Stallone also played a key role in the Creed franchise, starring in and producing the first film in 2015 and the second installment in 2018. The film introduced the Rocky franchise to a new generation, and focused on the life and career of Apollo Creed’s son, Adonis Creed. Stallone’s performance was commercially and critically praised in the first Creed movie, which led him to receive a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination.
Stallone, whose life has been highly publicized, has tried to keep a level of privacy in his personal life. In 2022, Stallone and his wife, Jennifer Flavin, reconciled after a planned divorce. According to Page Six, he has five children:
- Sage Stallone
- Seargeoh Stallone
- Sophia Rose Stallone
- Sistine Rose Stallone
- Scarlet Rose Stallone
Through Stallone’s storied career, he has earned an incredible net worth. According to Celebrity Net Worth, he is worth $400 million. While Stallone has been in the business for over fifty years, he continues to thrill fans with his performances. Though Stallone had a quieter period in the early 2000s, his popularity has resurfaced with Rocky sequels, the Expendables franchise, and the Creed franchise.
Tulsa King has only furthered Stallone’s relevance in the modern entertainment industry. He has proven that he still has what it takes to be a leading man.
Source: NewsFinale
