How did a fishmonger who starred in an adult movie make Rocky? The film about Sylvester Stallone’s amazing triumph
The article recounts how Sylvester Stallone’s struggles shaped the making of *Rocky*, and introduces *I Play Rocky*, a film about that process. Actor Anthony Ippolito, who plays Stallone, pursued the role for years with unsolicited audition tapes and is now being tipped as an Oscar contender.
Stallone wrote the boxing film while struggling to find work, then persuaded a studio to finance it and cast him in the lead; *Rocky* went on to win the best picture Oscar. Its 50th anniversary is approaching, and the franchise still draws thousands of people to run the 72 steps of Philadelphia’s Museum of Art. Ippolito says he transformed his voice, movement and physique for the role, after producers chose him first.
In short
- Stallone wrote and starred in *Rocky* despite financial and career struggles.
- Anthony Ippolito pursued the role of Stallone for years.
- *I Play Rocky* revisits the film’s unlikely creation.
Explained simply
Sylvester Stallone was a struggling actor when he wrote Rocky, a story about an underdog boxer in Philadelphia. He wanted to play the lead himself, even though the studio financing the film had other ideas about casting.
Released in 1976, Rocky became a major success and won the Academy Award for best picture. It launched a film series and made the steps of Philadelphia’s Museum of Art a lasting landmark for fans.
I Play Rocky is a film about the making of Rocky and Stallone’s fight to bring it to the screen. Actor Anthony Ippolito plays Stallone, whose years of preparation included changing his voice, movement and physique.
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