Sage Stallone, Sylvester Stallone’s son, had a promising career ahead of him, but he dreaded living under his father’s shadows. At his death, many questions were left unanswered. His father has a new Netflix documentary where he made a rare comment about their relationship.
Sage Moonblood Stallone was born in Los Angeles on May 5, 1976. He was the first son of Stallone and actress Sasha Czack. Sage famously appeared alongside his father in the 1990 hit movie “Rocky V,” but their relationship was far from perfect.
Close sources revealed that the movie icon and his firstborn rarely saw eye to eye. Although Sage appreciated the life of comfort and luxury his father’s career earned him, he was unimpressed by Sylvester’s movie characters.
Sage Stallone attends the 1994 Kids Choice Awards at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States. | Source: Getty Images
Friends of the younger Stallone said Sylvester’s comments about his son’s appearance worsened their relationship. The actor would often tease Sage about being too skinny as a child and out of shape as a grown-up. Stephen Wozniak, actor and longtime friend of the Stallones, once remarked about the father-son relationship. He said:
“The love-hate would go back and forth all the time.”
Jennifer Flavin Sylvester Stallone and his son Sage Stallone at a polo match in 1988 | Source: Getty Images
Stallone has a documentary on Netflix called “Sly” where he opened up about some of the onscreen moments he shared with his son and made a rare comment about their relationship.
REKINDLING A GOOD RELATIONSHIP
Sage was left irritated when his father chose the slimmer Milo Ventimiglia in “Rocky Balboa” to reprise the Rocky Jr. role that Sage had portrayed as a youngster in “Rocky V.”
Sylvester Stallone and Sage at the Sylvester Stallone’s Paintings Opening Night Exhibition and Cocktail Reception on September 10, 1990 at Hanson Galleries in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Close friends stated that Sage was eager to play the role, but being snubbed by his father was a huge disappointment. For his part, Sylvester was far from impressed with his son’s neglect of his physical appearance.
The dueling father-son took their differences public in 1996 when the “Rocky” actor revealed that Sage hated visiting the gym and was interested in abstract art-house movies. The 77-year-old said Sage ensured he would never be compared to his dad.
Sylvester’s 1985 split from his ex-wife, Sasha, Sage’s mother, was another source of bitterness for the younger Stallone. In addition, Sylvester’s affair with Brigitte Nielsen left Sage disappointed in the screen legend.
