Sylvester Stallone ‘became bulimic’ during body ‘obsession,’ had 2.6 percent body fat ahead of “Rocky III”
Sylvester Stallone ‘became bulimic’ during body ‘obsession,’ had 2.6 percent body fat ahead of “Rocky III”
Shelby StivaleMon, September 28, 2026 at 2:59 PM UTC
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Sylvester Stallone in ‘Rocky III’Credit: EverettThe actor explained how he eventually “broke the cycle” of his eating disorder.Key Points -
Sylvester Stallone revealed that he was bulimic while preparing for Rocky III.
In a new interview, the actor discussed the “obsession” with his body during the early days of his career.
“Literally, an obsessive body worship kind of a thing,” Stallone shared during his appearance on The New York Times’ The Interview podcast.
Sylvester Stallone got “personal” when discussing his body.
“It became an obsession. Really bad,” the actor said during The Interview podcast, released by The New York Times on Sept. 26. “I became bulimic.”
When filming the 1982 movie, Rocky III, Stallone only had 2.6 percent body fat. The actor said his face looked “hollow” during the opening scene because he was so thin.
“I couldn’t hold anything down or if I did, I didn’t want to keep it down,” he continued. “I became so obsessed at staying at that point of fitness.”
Stallone explained that during the early days of his career, he had a very “intimate” relationship with his body. “It was my armor,” he added, noting that it changed with each character he played. For Rocky’s Rocky Balboa, Stallone was a “very smooth” and “very normal looking guy.” However, Rambo’s John Rambo was “a little bit more animalistic.”
Eventually, Stallone said, he “broke the cycle.” The action star continued, “It got to me. Literally, an obsessive body worship kind of a thing.” Stallone also made it clear that “nobody does it without additives and drugs,” explaining that it’s “bulls---” if people say they aren’t.
Sylvester Stallone attends ‘Tulsa King’ premiere in September 2025Credit: Rob Kim/Getty
“If you’re going to work and try to stay in shape for six months straight” the use of steroids is almost mandatory, he adds. “You have to,” Stallone said, explaining during Saturday’s podcast episode that it’s a “six weeks on, six weeks off” process. “People go, ‘Oh, you don’t get that way naturally.’ No, you don’t. You don’t, unless you’re just a freak of nature,” Stallone added, admitting that the use of steroids “also took a terrible toll” on his body.
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The actor finally “felt somewhat liberated” when playing the role of Freddy Heflin in 1997’s Cop Land, who was “the weakest guy in the room.” Now, he’s the first to tell you that he’s “abused” his body through the years — and staying fit is no longer his armor.
“I’ve had nine back operations, two shoulder operations, three neck fusions,” he said. “Everything is held together with bailing wire, but I still have that want to stay in good shape.”
At 80 years old, Stallone says he’s “sort of fit,” explaining that there are “a lot of pills” that keep him going.
“It’s come at a terrible price,” he said. “If I could do it over again, I would say, ‘Let someone else carry the banner and don’t do your own stunts.’ I don’t know what it was about just hurting myself all the time.”
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If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, The Alliance for Eating Disorders provides a fully-staffed helpline at 1-866-662-1235, as well as free, therapist-led support groups.
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
