Sylvester Stallone’s Son Ensured He Was Never Compared to Him
Sage Stallone, the son of legendary movie icon Sylvester Stallone, had a promising career ahead of him. However, he struggled with living in the shadow of his famous father. Even in his death, many questions surrounding their relationship remained unanswered. Sylvester recently made a rare comment about their bond in his new Netflix documentary.
Sage was born on May 5, 1976, in Los Angeles, California. He appeared alongside his father in the 1990 hit movie “Rocky V,” but their relationship was far from perfect. Close sources revealed that Sage and Sylvester rarely saw eye to eye. While Sage enjoyed the luxurious life that his father’s career afforded them, he was unimpressed by Sylvester’s on-screen characters.
According to friends, Sylvester’s comments about Sage’s appearance only worsened their relationship. The actor would often tease his son about being too skinny as a child and out of shape as an adult. This repeated criticism took its toll on Sage. Their love-hate relationship constantly fluctuated, causing further strain between them.
In his Netflix documentary, “Sly,” Stallone opened up about some of the moments shared on-screen with his son and provided insights into their complicated relationship.
Rekindling a Good Relationship
One of the defining moments that strained their bond was when Sylvester decided to cast another actor in the role of Rocky Jr. in “Rocky Balboa.” Sage had portrayed the character in his younger years in “Rocky V.” This decision by his father deeply disappointed Sage, as he had hoped to continue playing the role. On the other hand, Sylvester was not impressed with his son’s neglect of his physical appearance.
Their differences came to light in 1996 when Sylvester revealed that Sage disliked going to the gym and had a passion for abstract art-house movies. This only emphasized Sage’s determination to carve his own path and ensure he would never be compared to his father.
Rocky V: A Personal Reflection
Both Sylvester and Sage continued to work together in movies. Sage admitted that some of their roles were emotionally charged and involved less acting and more real-life expressions. One such moment was in “Rocky V” when Sage’s character yelled at his father for being an absent father. According to Sage, his outburst was not acting but a release of bottled-up emotions. It was a turning point in their relationship, and from that moment on, they were willing to do anything for each other.
In retrospect, Sylvester confessed that “Rocky V” was based on his personal life. He revealed that his character’s neglect of his son in the film mirrored some aspects of his own life. The actor acknowledged that he regretted prioritizing other things over his family and that the consequences were radical and devastating.
Sage’s Untimely Death
In 2012, at the age of 36, Sage was discovered lifeless in his home in Studio City, Los Angeles. His attorney revealed that his housekeeper found his body. At the time, the cause of his death was unknown, and there were no signs of depression or mental struggle. Sage had plans for his future, including getting married. His sudden death came as a shock to his family and friends.
However, those close to Sage revealed that he had struggled with prescription medicine for most of his adult life, particularly Vicodin and Xanax, which he took for anxiety and other issues. Despite his challenges, he loved his father and was proud of him.
Sylvester was devastated by the loss of his son. He asked for privacy for his family and expressed the profound pain that comes with losing a child. Sage was laid to rest with a funeral at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Los Angeles, where family and friends gathered to pay their respects.
Sage Died of a Heart Attack
Following his death, there were various rumors surrounding the cause. Some speculated that Sage’s addiction played a role, but his family dismissed these claims. Law enforcement agents discovered his room in disarray, and it appeared he had been dead for several days.
Authorities ultimately determined that Sage died of a heart attack caused by heart disease and not an overdose. There were no traces of drugs in his system. It was later revealed that he had also suffered from dental issues, having had several teeth extracted. This led to him experiencing intense pain, which may have contributed to his reliance on painkillers.
Years after Sage’s passing, Sylvester won a Golden Globe Award for his role in “Creed.” When asked if Sage’s death had impacted his career, Sylvester expressed his desire to continue honoring his son’s memory.
The complicated relationship between Sylvester Stallone and his son Sage serves as a reminder that fame and success do not exempt one from personal struggles. Their story is a testament to the complexity and depth of family dynamics, and the importance of finding one’s own identity even in the face of great expectations.
