Sylvester Stallone calls himself “an idiot” for doing his own stunts
Decades of doing his own stunts have left Sylvester Stallone paying the price — and he now thinks the genuinely dangerous work should be left to the pros.
If there was ever a walking advert for the dangers of macho movie stunt work, it's Sylvester Stallone. The bloke's a living action figure, but the price he's paid isn't something you'd envy. He's spent decades getting battered on set, and now – at 80, still starring in crime drama Tulsa King – he's happy to admit the consequences are fairly grim.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Stallone laid it out bluntly: "Millions, millions of regrets. I could literally spend a half hour talking about injuries, the amount, not even like one. I'm talking about 30 hours, 30 minutes of just individual ones, because it becomes compounded."
Paying the Price for the Glory
Let's just say the injuries list is almost comic in its excess. Stallone says he's had nine back operations, three neck fusions, both shoulders torn up, work on an eye, lens replacements – and that's just the stuff he mentioned straight off the bat. Given how full-on his career has been, from Rocky to the endless explosions in The Expendables, that's hardly surprising. But hearing it all at once does make you question the wisdom of doing your own stunts just to look hard.
Stallone's really not impressed with his younger self's choices. Reflecting on his approach to film stunts back in the day, he said:
“I think I'm an idiot for doing that.”
He didn't stop there. For anyone dreaming of Hollywood action hero glory, Stallone has a direct warning: leave the dangerous stuff to the professionals. He advises, don't try to be the centre of attention or the hero – let the real stunt people put themselves at risk, because you’ll regret it otherwise.
Tulsa King Season 4 – Still No Rest
Even now, Stallone's refusing to take it easy. He's back again as Dwight Manfredi in Tulsa King, which landed its fourth season on Paramount+ from 16 October 2026. The series isn't letting his mobster main character coast – every time Dwight thinks he’s sorted his problems, some fresh nightmare is on the horizon. That unpredictability, Stallone reckons, is what keeps the show from getting stale.
This season, Dwight’s facing opposition that’s not just old-school mobsters – now it’s politicians, hackers, and family dramas making his life difficult. And if you’re hoping for a gentle start, Stallone’s description of the season opener is 'quite shocking'. It’s all ramped up a notch. The constant internal feuding among Dwight’s own crew doesn’t make things any easier, either.
- Tulsa King season 4 made its debut on Paramount+ on 16 October 2026.
Goodbye Hollywood – Hello, Florida
If you wondered whether Stallone’s had enough of California, the answer is yes – he shifted to Florida in 2024. Turns out he’s very happy with the decision, describing the state as perfect for him: cleaner air, cleaner water, and an abundance of greenery to enjoy. Apparently, after a career fighting onscreen villains, all a person really wants in retirement is something a bit more peaceful – and a lot less physically traumatic.