Before Sylvester Stallone was the “Italian Stallion” he was one of many faces in the crowd. He, like many in his industry, was a struggling actor trying to find work but it was proving to be extremely difficult. His lowest point game when he was forced to sell his dog for $25 because he needed food. Only a few days later he watched an iconic fight between legend Muhammad Ali and Chuck Wepner.
This fight inspired him to write the script for Rocky. He wrote the script in 20 hours. Yes, 20 hours. He tried to sell it but with one request, that he would star in the movie. He got an offer for $125,000 but the studio refused to let him play Rocky. The next week they offered him more and he still refused. They wanted the movie but not Stallone to be in it. But Stallone knew he had to play the part of Rocky. The producers said he “looked and talked funny.”
Eventually they agreed to let him star in the movie but lowered their price to $35,000. Stallone took it and the rest, as they say, is history. The movie won Oscars for best picture, best editing and best direction. The movie also got included in the American National Film Registry.
But here’s the million dollar question. What did Stallone buy with the $35,000? The dog that he sold and loved so much. He waited for 3 days at a liquor store for the man he sold the dog to. He explained to the man why he sold his dog and begged for it back. The man kept refusing until Stallone agreed to pay him $15,000 for the dog.
Don’t ever give up on your dreams or let go of humanity. Someday your worth will be recognized. Just believe in yourself.
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