Sylvester Stallone’s Darkest Secrets: The Five Actors He HATED and the Explosive Feuds Behind Them!

Sylvester Stallone is a name synonymous with strength, resilience, and the underdog spirit, but behind the tough exterior lies a history of intense rivalries and personal conflicts with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

While he has played iconic roles that have defined generations, Stallone has also kept a list of five actors he flat out hates.

These are not mere petty grievances; they involve wild betrayals, backstabbing friendships, and off-screen confrontations that would make any Rocky fan’s jaw drop.

Let’s take a closer look at the actors who have found themselves on Stallone’s bad side.

Number Five: Richard Gere

In 1974, Sylvester Stallone and Richard Gere were both struggling actors vying for their big break in the low-budget film The Lords of Flatbush.

The set was a pressure cooker, and tensions ran high.

Stallone, who co-wrote the script based on his own experiences, was deeply invested in the project.

Gere, on the other hand, approached acting with a methodical and analytical style that clashed with Stallone’s instinctive approach.

The infamous incident that kicked off their feud occurred during a car scene when a glob of mustard from Gere’s sandwich landed on Stallone’s pants.

In a fit of rage, Stallone elbowed Gere in the head and tossed him out of the car, leading to Gere’s dismissal from the film.

The official reason given was “creative differences,” but everyone on set knew better.

This explosive moment marked the beginning of a long-standing grudge, with Stallone emerging as the alpha while Gere was humiliated and sidelined.

Number Four: Bruce Willis

Once friends and allies in the action movie genre, Stallone and Bruce Willis’s relationship soured over a financial dispute during the making of The Expendables 3.

Willis was part of the original ensemble cast, but when it came time to negotiate his return, he demanded an outrageous $4 million for just four days of work.

Stallone viewed this as a betrayal of the camaraderie and brotherhood that the film represented.

Unable to reach an agreement, Stallone made the tough decision to cut Willis from the film, replacing him with Harrison Ford.

Stallone didn’t hold back in interviews, publicly labeling Willis as “greedy” and “lazy,” which damaged Willis’s reputation in the industry.

This fallout highlighted the fragility of their friendship and the impact of money on their once-strong bond.

Number Three: Eddie Murphy

In the late 1980s, Stallone and Eddie Murphy shared a genuine friendship, often supporting each other’s careers.

However, their relationship took a nosedive during the filming of Beverly Hills Cop 2, where Stallone’s then-wife, Bridget Nielsen, had a role.

Rumors began to swirl about an inappropriate relationship between Murphy and Nielsen, which reached Stallone’s ears and ignited his jealousy and anger.

Rather than addressing the issue through intermediaries, Stallone called Murphy directly, demanding to know the truth.

Murphy denied any wrongdoing, but the damage was done.

Trust was shattered, and their friendship crumbled under the weight of public speculation and media scrutiny.

The fallout was swift, with both actors avoiding each other in public and their once-close bond reduced to silence.

Number Two: Kirk Douglas

When Stallone was preparing to bring John Rambo to life in First Blood, he was excited to have Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas join the cast as Colonel Sam Troutman.

However, Douglas quickly began to impose his vision for the character, demanding changes to the script that Stallone had worked hard to create.

Douglas wanted Rambo to die in the film, believing it would add emotional weight, while Stallone envisioned a different direction.

The clash of egos led to a tense atmosphere on set, with Douglas pushing for his demands while Stallone fought to maintain control over his creation.

Ultimately, Douglas walked off the project, and Stallone’s resolve paid off when Richard Crenna stepped in and delivered a performance that fit perfectly with Stallone’s vision, allowing First Blood to become a massive hit and launch a successful franchise.

Number One: Arnold Schwarzenegger

The rivalry between Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger is perhaps the most famous in Hollywood history.

It all began at the 1977 Golden Globes when Stallone, newly nominated for Rocky, felt overshadowed by Schwarzenegger, who was there as the “New Talent of the Year.”

Stallone’s frustration boiled over when Arnold won an award, and in a fit of anger, he threw a bouquet of flowers at Schwarzenegger.

What followed was a decade-long competition, with both actors trying to outdo each other in the action genre.

They exchanged barbs and jabs in interviews, with each trying to establish dominance.

The rivalry reached comedic heights, especially when Stallone unwittingly accepted a terrible script for Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, which Schwarzenegger had pretended to want, only to watch it tank at the box office.

Their feud, filled with both animosity and humor, eventually evolved into a friendship, proving that even the fiercest rivals can find common ground.

Sylvester Stallone’s relationships with these five actors reveal the complexities of Hollywood friendships and rivalries.

Behind the glitz and glamour lies a world of intense emotions, competition, and sometimes, betrayal.

These stories serve as a reminder that even the toughest stars have their vulnerabilities and that the world of entertainment can be as cutthroat as any boxing ring.