Sylvester Stallone Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Sylvester Stallone’s Net Worth and Salary: What Are They?

With a net worth estimated at $400 million, Sylvester Stallone is a prominent figure in American cinema as an actor, screenwriter, producer, and director. Recognized as one of the most iconic and cherished action heroes in history, he holds the unique distinction of being the only actor in American cinema to feature in box office #1 films over a span of six consecutive decades.

Achieving fame with “Rocky,” Stallone ascended to the ranks of the highest-paid action stars during the 1980s and 1990s. He has been instrumental in crafting and producing several lucrative franchises, notably “Rocky,” “Rambo,” and “The Expendables.” At present, Stallone’s films have garnered over $4 billion in worldwide revenue. Unlike many of his Hollywood peers, Stallone has significantly contributed as a writer, producer, and/or director to most of his prominent franchises.

Among Stallone’s highest-grossing films are “Rocky IV” (1985) and “Rambo: First Blood Part II” (1985), each raking in $300 million, followed by “Creed” (2015), which earned $173 million. His movies collectively have surpassed a remarkable $4.5 billion in global earnings, positioning him alongside top-grossing actors like Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, and Robert Downey Jr. In comparison, Arnold Schwarzenegger, another legendary action star, has achieved around $4.4 billion in box office totals, slightly trailing Stallone.

Highlights of Salary

From the 1970s up to 2012, just from the films listed ahead—and not including every film by Stallone during this time or the following decade—he accumulated around $300 million in base film salaries. Adjusted for inflation, this figure equates to approximately $500 million in today’s currency.

After penning the screenplay for “Rocky” in merely three days, Stallone attracted interest in his project from several studios. United Artists emerged as the frontrunner, though they envisioned it as a vehicle for Robert Redford or James Caan. He persistently urged producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff to allow him to take the lead role, ultimately accepting a reduced salary of $23,000, equivalent to around $110,000 today. The movie triumphed at the box office, earning $225 million against a budget of $1 million.

• For “Rocky II,” Stallone earned a paycheck of $75,000.
• His base salary for “Rocky III” was $120,000.
• For “Rocky V,” he made $15 million.
• He received base salaries of $10 million for both “Creed” and “Creed II.”

In 1982, he earned $3.5 million for “First Blood.” The subsequent year, he made $10 million, the inflation-adjusted equivalent of $25 million, marking his first credit as Producer on “Staying Alive.”

He garnered $4 million and another Producer credit for “Rhinestone” in 1984. In the following year, he earned $12 million and yet another Producer credit for “Rocky IV,” also making $12 million for “Over the Top.” For “Rambo III,” his earnings reached $16 million.

For each of the following films, Sylvester earned between $15 million and $16 million:

• “Lock Up”
• “Tango & Cash”
• “Rocky V”
• “Oscar”
• “Demolition Man”
• “Judge Dredd”
• “Assassins”
• “The Specialist”
• “The Expendables”
• “The Expendables II”

Stallone’s earnings included $17.5 million for “Daylight,” $20 million for “Driven,” and another $20 million for “Eye See You.”

Early Life

Born on July 6, 1946, in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, Sylvester Stallone’s full name is Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone. He is the older son of Francesco “Frank” Stallone Sr, an Italian immigrant who worked as a hairdresser, and Jackie Stallone, known for her work as an astrologer and dancer. His younger brother is Frank Stallone, who has made a name for himself as an actor and musician. Complications during childbirth left the lower left side of Sylvester’s face paralyzed, which contributed to his distinctive “snarling” appearance and somewhat slurred speech.

During his childhood, Stallone faced a series of challenges as his parents’ volatile relationship led him to spend time in foster care before they divorced. Afterward, he temporarily resided with his father in Maryland.

Before pursuing acting, Stallone took drama classes at the American College in Switzerland and subsequently attended the University of Miami. However, he dropped out before finishing his degree to chase his dream of becoming an actor in New York City.

Career

In “The Party at Kitty and Stud’s,” Stallone made his debut as the lead actor in a softcore adult film, a role he accepted out of necessity after being evicted. For his work in the film, he received a mere $200 for two days of filming.

His initial film appearances consisted of minor roles, including an uncredited part in Woody Allen’s 1971 film “Bananas.” Stallone’s role in the movie “Rebel” in 1973 gained some attention, and he received early critical acclaim for his performance in “The Lords of Flatbush” in 1974.

By the mid-1970s, Stallone relocated to Los Angeles, where he devoted his spare time to writing screenplays. Inspired by a boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Chuck Wepner, he penned a screenplay about a down-and-out thug with dreams of becoming a professional boxer. Stallone was adamant about not selling the script unless he could star in the film, eventually finding producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff who agreed to his terms for the role of Rocky Balboa. The character’s last name was inspired by the proximity of his Los Angeles apartment to Balboa Avenue.

The release of “Rocky” in 1976 marked a turning point in his career. Despite receiving mixed reviews during initial screenings, the film went on to become a worldwide sensation, launching Stallone into the ranks of A-list celebrities and granting him international fame. It achieved both critical and commercial success, grossing $117 million at box offices against a modest budget of
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With a budget of $1 million, it received ten Academy Award nominations. It competed for Best Picture alongside other now-classic films, including “All the President’s Men,” “Network,” and “Taxi Driver,” yet against all odds, “Rocky” emerged victorious. Additionally, it secured awards for Best Directing and Best Film Editing. The release of “Rocky II” in 1979 was followed by two more installments in the ’80s, during which Stallone continued to achieve box office success.

In 1982, Sylvester showcased his talent in another critically acclaimed and commercially successful role as John Rambo in the action film “Rambo: First Blood.” Following its success, three sequels were produced. To prepare for his roles as both Rocky and Rambo, he committed to an intensely rigorous training regimen, which included two workouts daily, six days a week, along with additional evening exercise. For the third “Rocky” movie, he achieved a remarkable body fat percentage of just 2.8%.

The year 1987 marked the beginning of a decline in Stallone’s popularity with his performance in “Over the Top,” a box office failure met with critical disdain. The ’90s saw the release of “Rocky V,” which similarly disappointed at the box office. In attempts to explore the comedy genre, he faced critical and commercial failures with early-nineties films like “Oscar” and “Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot.” However, he briefly revived his career with “Cliffhanger” in 1993, a film that grossed $170 million, along with the 1996 movie “Daylight,” but by the early 2000s, he found himself in a series of box office flops and critic disappointments.

After taking a three-year break, Stallone returned in 2006 with the sixth installment of the “Rocky” franchise. He played the lead role in, wrote, and directed the critically acclaimed “Rocky Balboa,” which was made on a budget of $24 million and earned $155.7 million worldwide. He also reprised his iconic role in the fourth film of the Rambo series, titled “Rambo.” In 2010, he wrote, directed, and starred in “The Expendables,” which debuted at #1 at the box office during its opening weekend. A sequel followed in 2012, achieving similarly favorable reviews and securing another #1 position at the box office.

In 2015, Stallone added to the “Rocky” saga with a spin-off film known as “Creed.” Directed by Ryan Coogler, it centers around Adonis Creed, portrayed by Michael B. Jordan, who is the son of Rocky’s adversary, Apollo Creed. Stallone garnered widespread acclaim for this role, receiving his third Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The sequel, “Creed II,” released in 2018, also received positive reviews and opened with $35.3 million. The fifth film in the Rambo series premiered on September 20, 2019, grossing $91 million globally.

Furthermore, Stallone took on roles such as Stakar Ogord in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films and Dwight “The General” Manfredi in Paramount+’s “Tulsa King” series. In 2023, he along with his wife and their three daughters featured in the reality show “The Family Stallone,” which was quickly renewed for a second season.

Other Ventures

In March 2018, Sylvester co-founded Balboa Productions, a film production company, with Braden Aftergood. The studio boasts a diverse production slate, including “Creed II,” “Rambo V,” and “Expend4bles.” Currently, the studio is developing a film that narrates the story of Jack “Galveston Giant” Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight boxing champion.

Additionally, Stallone has contributed vocals for various film soundtracks. He recorded the iconic “Gonna Fly Now” theme for the original Rocky and “Take Me Back” for Rocky IV. He also performed duets with Dolly Parton for their movie “Rhinestone” in 1984. Apart from acting, he is a boxing promoter, running a business named Tiger Eye Productions.

Personal Life

Sylvester married Sasha Czack in 1974, and they had two sons: Sage Moonblood, who tragically passed away from heart disease at age 36, and Seargeoh. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1985. He was then married to Brigitte Nielson from 1985 to 1987.

In 1997, Sylvester wed Jennifer Flavin. Theywould subsequently have three daughters named Sophie, Sistine, and Scarlet. On August 24, 2022, the announcement was made that Jennifer had filed for divorce from Sylvester in Palm Beach County, Florida. Ultimately, the two reconciled.

Real Estate

In 1999, a home in Coconut Grove, Florida, owned by Sylvester, was sold for $16 million.

For several decades, Sylvester’s main residence has been a luxurious mansion located in the prestigious gated community of Beverly Park, atop Beverly Hills. This property encompasses 3.5 acres and boasts a 20,000-square-foot home. Notable neighbors include Eddie Murphy, Mark Wahlberg, and Denzel Washington, with similar homes recently fetching sales between $40 million and $70 million. In January 2021, reports indicated that Sylvester planned to list the home at an impressive $130 million, which was later reduced to $85 million in August 2021.

In December 2021, Sylvester accepted an offer of $58 million from Adele, marking the highest price ever paid for a home in Beverly Park.

Take a look at the video tour:

In January 2010, Sylvester, along with his wife Jennifer Flavin, purchased a vacation home in La Quinta, California, for $4.5 million. They attempted to sell this house several times starting in 2014. By 2016, the price had been lowered to $3.625 million, yet they struggled to find a buyer. Ultimately, they sold the property in May 2020 for $3.1 million.

In December 2020, Sylvester acquired a 1.5-acre property in Palm Beach, Florida, complete with a 13,000-square-foot mansion for $35.4 million. The sellers made nearly $10 million in profits, having bought the property for $26 million back in 2018.

Following that, in February 2022, Sylvester purchased a 2.26-acre estate in Hidden Hills, California, for $18.2 million. However, this property made headlines in August 2022 for its excessive water usage. In May and June of 2022, the estate exceeded its monthly water allocation by 195,000 gallons and 230,000 gallons, respectively. In their defense, the Stallones mentioned that the property had over 500 mature trees requiring consistent watering to avoid becoming a fire hazard. The local water department stated that if they surpassed their allocation by 150% in four months, they reserved the right to restrict water flow to the property.

Check out the video tour from when the estate was listed earlier in 2022:

Less than a year after buying the property for $18.2 million, in December 2022, Sylvester put it up for sale at $22.5 million. By October 2023, he sold the home to musician John Fogerty for $17 million, resulting in a $1.2 million loss from his February 2022 purchase price.