Sylvester Stallone, born on July 6, 1946, faced a difficult delivery that resulted in a facial nerve severing above his jaw when forceps were used during his birth. This mishap left a slight droop on the left side of his face and contributed to the trademark speech impediment he developed. Stallone compared his speech impediment to the “guttural echoing of a mafioso pallbearer” according to The New York Post.
Throughout his school years, Stallone endured taunting and bullying due to his appearance and speech impediment. He was given nicknames such as “Slant Mouth,” “Sylvia,” and “Mr. Potato Head.” Stallone described himself as being “like a poster boy for a nightmare” due to the challenges he faced.
Adding to his difficulties, Stallone had a physically abusive father who subjected him and his brother Frank Jr. to severe beatings. His father would admonish them, questioning why they couldn’t be smarter or stronger.
These experiences led to a sense of rage within Stallone, which manifested in a reckless nature. By the age of 12, he had already broken at least 10 bones. His teachers even voted him “Student Most Likely To End Up In The Electric Chair.”
Despite the obstacles he faced, Stallone found inspiration and solace in movies. At the age of 13, he had an epiphany after watching the film “Hercules Unchained,” which starred the muscular Steve Reeves. This experience fueled his passion for bodybuilding and acting, setting him on the path to becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognizable action stars.
Stallone’s journey from adversity to success serves as a testament to his resilience and determination to overcome the challenges he faced in his early life.
