Sylvester Stallone got into incredible shape for Rocky 3, but here's why he later called his diet for the sequel "very dangerous." Like the titular boxer, Rocky itself was a major underdog story in the movie business. Before Rocky, Stallone had appeared in small roles in Woody Allen or Robert Mitchem movies and went on to bigger parts in low-budget projects like Death Race 2000. Rocky was his screenplay, but despite receiving major money offers to sell it so bigger names like Burt Reynolds could star, he insisted only he could play the lead. Rocky was thus assigned a small budget, but it went on to become a major critical and commercial success.
Rocky made Stallone's career and set the blueprint for "underdog" sports movies like The Karate Kid - which was also helmed by Rocky's John G. Avildsen. Stallone would later helm the second and third Rocky movies, where the success of the title character also mirrored the star's own rise to fame. While he was obviously in very good shape during the first two Rockys, Stallone would increasingly focus on sculpting impressive physiques for himself during the '80s. In addition to helping characters such as Rambo appear later than life, this focus on looking impressive physically is likely due to his rivalry with the equally muscle-bound Arnold Schwarzenegger during this era.
Related: Rocky's Movie Rights Ownership & Controversy Explained
Even in his later work like 2010's The Expendables, Stallone made his physique part of the character. The star once revealed in an Instagram post (via Men's Health) in 2017 that to achieve his ripped look for Rocky 3 - which changed the franchise in many ways - he undertook a "very high protein" diet which consisted of small portions of oatmeal cookies made up of brown rice and around 20 cups of coffee a day. There was also some tuna fish added into the mix, but while the visual results were very impressive - as the movie itself proves- it took something of a toll on his health during production.
Rocky 3 Took Stallone's Body Fat Down To "Dangerous" Levels
According to Stallone, this diet did not provide "much physical or mental energy," and it took his body fat down to 2.9. As he admits, this is a "really dangerous level," as anything below 5% for men can lead to cardiovascular problems and sharp dips in energy. For Stallone, it resulted in a type of brain fog and mental exhaustion, which was especially trying while filming the boxing sequences with Mr. T's Clubber Lang. In the aforementioned Instagrampost, Stallone be seen standing on his head, and this wasn't to show off - it was so he could restore some blood to his head to help him recall the complicated fight choreography.
While he likely considered the pain of his Rocky 3diet worth it in terms of the end result, it does sound like he was miserable through the production. By his own account, his Rocky 3 diet was a "dangerous" one and while he later undertook other intensive workout regimes, he didn't let his body fat percentage dip that far down again.
Next: Rocky Balboa vs. Adonis Creed: Who Would Win In A Fight
FAQs
'Sly' Stallone revealed that his diet during this film was mainly focused on his body fat being as down as possible so that he could look aesthetically pleasing. And as a result, at that time he worked hard to get his fat down to 2.9%. Now this wasn't enough, as he felt a decline in “physical or mental energy”.
How did Sylvester Stallone lose weight for Rocky 3? ›
I used to drink about 10 cups a day. Actually, I used to drink about 25 cups a day when I was doing 'Rocky 3'. My entire breakfast would be maybe two [small] oatmeal cookies made with brown rice and 10 cups of coffee because I wanted to keep my body fat down to 2.8%.
What was Sylvester Stallone's diet? ›
Stallone's Diet Plan
He also follows a strict diet plan to keep his body fat low and his muscles fueled. Stallone's diet consists of lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. He eats six small meals a day to keep his metabolism burning and his energy levels high.
Did Sylvester Stallone get hurt in Rocky 3? ›
Scroll down to know more. In Rocky III, Sylvester Stallone faced off against one of the all-time greatest professional wrestlers, Hulk Hogan. In a particular fight scene, Hogan inflicted such a serious injury on his co-star that he didn't even glance at the hurt shoulder.
Why was Rocky so skinny at Rocky 3? ›
Sylvester Stallone Says His Diet for Rocky III Was Just Tuna, Oatmeal Cookies, and Coffee. 'I wanted to keep my body fat down to 2.8%." Video Player is loading.
Why did Rocky look so different in Rocky 3? ›
The star once revealed in an Instagram post (via Men's Health) in 2017 that to achieve his ripped look for Rocky 3 - which changed the franchise in many ways - he undertook a "very high protein" diet which consisted of small portions of oatmeal cookies made up of brown rice and around 20 cups of coffee a day.
What happened to Sylvester Stallone while filming Rocky 4? ›
Dolph Lundgren once sent co-star Sylvester Stallone to a hospital during the filming of "Rocky IV." After being punched by Lundgren while shooting the final fight scene in the hit 1985 movie, Stallone was flown to a hospital and spent four days in intensive care.
How old was Rocky when he did Rocky 3? ›
In Rocky II, he turned 31. If Rocky III takes place three years after Rocky II, Rocky should be 34, which is exactly what age he is (as pointed out on TV).
Why did Rocky lose in Rocky 3? ›
Fame and complacency soon cause Balboa to lose his title to young thug Clubber Lang ( Mr. T ), who inadvertently causes the death of Rocky's beloved trainer, Mickey (Burgess Meredith), before their first championship bout.
How much did Sylvester weigh in Rocky 4? ›
Rocky I: 178 pounds. Rocky II: 200 pounds. Rocky III: 166 pounds. Rocky IV: 173 pounds.
How did Sylvester Stallone get so ripped for Rocky? Stallone is arguably at his most ripped in Rocky IV. With help from former Mr. Olympia Franco Columbu, the actor worked out twice a day, six days a week.
How did Sylvester Stallone lose Rocky? ›
The actor has long been galled by the fact that, as a young unknown in Hollywood, he signed a deal in which he gave up ownership of the “Rocky” franchise, which he created. (Stallone wrote the film.) Since at least 1976, Rocky's rights have been in the hands of producer Irwin Winkler.
