The Rocky and Rambo star reveals the physical toll of his action career, including nine back operations and three neck fusions, and urges aspiring performers to leave dangerous stunts to professionals.
Hollywood action star Sylvester Stallone has opened up about the devastating physical consequences of performing his own stunts, admitting that he has millions of regrets after suffering repeated injuries throughout his decades-long career.
Speaking to Fox News Digital in a recent interview, the 80-year-old actor reflected on the risks he took while filming action-packed productions and acknowledged that he should have left dangerous stunt work to trained professionals.
Stallone, best known for blockbuster franchises including Rocky, Rambo and The Expendables, admitted that the injuries accumulated over the years had taken a severe toll on his health.
“I could literally spend a half hour talking about injuries, the amount, not even like one, I’m talking about 30 hours, 30 minutes of just individual ones, because it becomes compounded,” the actor said.
He acknowledged that he had been injured “many, many times”, describing the experience as a painful consequence of his determination to perform physically demanding sequences himself.
The Expendables left a lasting physical toll
Stallone revealed that his work on The Expendables franchise had particularly serious consequences for his physical well-being, requiring multiple operations and extensive medical treatment.
“After Expendables, I ended up with nine back operations, three neck fusions,” he recalled.
The actor also described suffering serious shoulder injuries and complications involving his eye, highlighting the extensive physical damage he endured while pursuing an action-heavy career.
“Both shoulders ripped out, eye, you know, all kinds of lens put … it’s been brutal,” he said.
Despite undergoing numerous procedures, Stallone acknowledged that his health had never fully returned to its previous state.
“Now you have to make peace with the pain as much as you can,” he admitted, reflecting on the lasting consequences of his injuries.
Stallone warns aspiring actors against performing dangerous stunts
Looking back, Stallone expressed regret that he had not allowed professional stunt performers to handle more of the dangerous sequences in his films.
The veteran actor suggested that his desire to do everything himself had contributed to the injuries that continue to affect him.
He urged aspiring performers to resist the temptation to show off by taking unnecessary physical risks.
“Don’t be a stage hawk, or whatever you call it, a showboat,” Stallone advised.
He was particularly direct when addressing people considering performing their own stunts.
“I know a lot of people are thinking about doing stunts … don’t. Don’t,” he warned.
“Let the pro do it,” he added, explaining that even experienced performers cannot eliminate the dangers associated with falls and gravity.
“Let me explain something: you cannot beat gravity. When you hit the ground, you lose, and it’s going to come back.”
An action career marked by sacrifice
Stallone’s reflections offer a sobering perspective on the physical sacrifices behind Hollywood’s action spectacles. His screen career has been defined by demanding performances, intense fight sequences and physically challenging roles that helped establish him as one of cinema’s most recognisable action stars.
However, his experience also underscores the risks of attempting dangerous stunts without appropriate professional support.
His message is clear: the pursuit of authenticity and on-screen spectacle should not come at the expense of long-term health. After years of injuries and repeated surgeries, Stallone now believes that leaving dangerous sequences to qualified stunt professionals is a lesson worth learning before the damage becomes permanent.