Sylvester Stallone Owes Career To Henry Winkler For One Reason
Sylvester Stallone says he owes his career to Henry Winkler after the Happy Days star helped him with some car trouble on the 101 freeway, just off Hollywood and Vine, on his first day in Los Angeles. The revelation comes by way of a new clip from the Netflix documentary Sly.
Henry Winkler helped Sylvester Stallone when he first arrived in LA
The actor explains that he didn’t know anyone other than Winkler, who was starring as Arthur Fonzarelli in the third season of the hit ABC sitcom. So when Sylvester Stallone’s car stalled, he called Henry Winkler, who rushed over. “I went and got him and this mountain of a dog,” Winkler explains. “All of his clothes, everything in the car somehow, [they were] sitting on suitcases.”
Sylvester Stallone admits that the situation must have been quite jarring for Henry Winkler. “He obviously couldn’t take me to his house. I had a dog and a wife,” Stallone said of the trip on which he was accompanied by his first wife, Sascha Czack. Winkler took the Stallones to a nice, affordable hotel, where they stayed for a few nights.
Sylvester Stallone Found Inspiration for Rocky from the cheap motels where he lived early in his career
They later relocated to “some dump in [San Fernando] Valley” with cheaper nightly rates. This hotel was just a few blocks from Balboa Boulevard, which inspired Sylvester Stallone to write Rocky, the movie that propelled him to stardom. While Winkler says he hasn’t seen Stallone in over three decades, they are still friends who share an inextricable bond.
Sly, a Sylvester Stallone Documentary Airs on Netflix November 3
Sylvester Stallone is set to be the focal point in Sly, which is set for release on November 3. The documentary delves into the extensive career of Stallone, who has been a leading A-list actor and a consistent box-office sensation for nearly five decades. His enduring popularity can be attributed to his work in iconic film series such as Rocky and Rambo, among others.
But Sly goes beyond those movies and instead delves into the fascinating journey of Sylvester Stallone, whose life seems almost tailor-made for the big screen. At 76 years old, Stallone continues to make his mark in the entertainment industry. He currently stars in Tulsa King, where he portrays a recently released Mafia capo embarking on the establishment of a criminal enterprise in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Sylvester Stallone Dabbled in Reality TV
Sylvester Stallone has also ventured into the realm of reality television with The Family Stallone, produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and Bunim/Murray Productions. The series provides a glimpse into the personal lives of Stallone, his wife Jennifer Flavin, and their daughters Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet. The show premiered on Paramount+ in May and has been renewed for a second season.
Sylvester Stallones Passes the Torch on the Expendables Franchise
The actor’s last big screen outing was in Expend4bles. The action movie sequel saw Sylvester Stallone pass the torch to fellow action star Jason Statham to tackle another world-threatening crisis. The movie was released on September 22, 2023, through Lionsgate. Stallone is also set to revisit the world of Cliffhanger in a legacy sequel and continue his journey as an action hero in Never Too Old to Die.
Sylvester Stallone’s journey continues to inspire and entertain fans around the world. So it’s not surprising that Henry Winkler still speaks fondly of the actor. Stallone’s story is a reminder that even from humble beginnings, greatness can emerge, and his tale is far from over.
