1 of 12Attribution: United ArtistsWhen Rocky was released in 1976, it smashed the competition and became the highest-grossing film of the year, earning more than US$117 million (approx. $153 million) at the box office.
The boxing movie was then nominated for 10 Oscars and won three, including Best Picture – and launched its actor Sylvester Stallone into superstardom.
This year, the original movie celebrates 47 years since it premiered. To mark the milestone, let's take a look back at Stallone and some of our favourite Rocky characters.
2 of 12Attribution: United Artists
When Rocky was released in 1976, it smashed the competition and became the highest-grossing film of the year, earning more than US$117 million (approx. $153 million) at the box office.
The boxing movie was then nominated for 10 Oscars and won three, including Best Picture – and launched its actor Sylvester Stallone into superstardom.
This year, the original movie celebrates 47 years since it premiered. To mark the milestone, let's take a look back at Stallone and some of our favourite Rocky characters.
2 of 12Attribution: United ArtistsTalia Shire as Adrian Pennino: Now
Talia Shire was cast perfectly as the mousy character of Adrian Pennino, a shy pet shop worker who grabs Rocky's attention as they bond over turtles. The pair eventually marry.
Fun fact: Susan Sarandon was originally considered for the role but was passed up because she was deemed too pretty to play Adrian. Stallone also apparently offered the role to actress Carrie Snodgress, but she reportedly turned it down as the salary was too low.
3 of 12Attribution: Getty
Talia Shire was cast perfectly as the mousy character of Adrian Pennino, a shy pet shop worker who grabs Rocky's attention as they bond over turtles. The pair eventually marry.
Fun fact: Susan Sarandon was originally considered for the role but was passed up because she was deemed too pretty to play Adrian. Stallone also apparently offered the role to actress Carrie Snodgress, but she reportedly turned it down as the salary was too low.
Talia Shire: Then
The following year, Shire was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Adrian.
The original movie's triumphant final scene, where Rocky screams, "Yo Adrian, I did it!", is considered one of the most iconic moments in sports film history. Shire went on to star in five more Rocky films.
Shire is now 77 years and can look back on her career with pride. She is also widely recognised for her role in The Godfather saga.
4 of 12Attribution: United Artists
The following year, Shire was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Adrian.
The original movie's triumphant final scene, where Rocky screams, "Yo Adrian, I did it!", is considered one of the most iconic moments in sports film history. Shire went on to star in five more Rocky films.
Shire is now 77 years and can look back on her career with pride. She is also widely recognised for her role in The Godfather saga.
Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa: Then
The titular character of Rocky Balboa was played by Sylvester Stallone.
Rocky is a working-class Italian living in the slums of Philadelphia who starts out as an enforcer for a local loan shark before setting his sights on becoming a professional boxer.
5 of 12Attribution: Getty
The titular character of Rocky Balboa was played by Sylvester Stallone.
Rocky is a working-class Italian living in the slums of Philadelphia who starts out as an enforcer for a local loan shark before setting his sights on becoming a professional boxer.
Sylvester Stallone: Now
In 1977, Stallone — who wrote the script — was nominated for two Academy Awards for Rocky: Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay. He came away empty-handed but there's no doubt Rocky made him a megastar.
Stallone, now 77, went on to have a successful career, appearing in Rambo, Cliffhanger, Demolition Man, The Expendables franchise and five more Rocky films.
In 2015, he reprised his role as Rocky Balboa in the film Creed, of which he wrote the screenplay. For this stint, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars that same year.
6 of 12Attribution: United Artists
In 1977, Stallone — who wrote the script — was nominated for two Academy Awards for Rocky: Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay. He came away empty-handed but there's no doubt Rocky made him a megastar.
Stallone, now 77, went on to have a successful career, appearing in Rambo, Cliffhanger, Demolition Man, The Expendables franchise and five more Rocky films.
In 2015, he reprised his role as Rocky Balboa in the film Creed, of which he wrote the screenplay. For this stint, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars that same year.
Burt Young as Paulie Pennino: Then
Burt Young played Paulie Pennino, the brother of Adrian and therefore Rocky's brother-in-law.
He becomes Rocky's best friend and it is at the meat factory where Paulie worked that Rocky began his training by punching meat carcasses.
7 of 12Attribution: Getty
Burt Young played Paulie Pennino, the brother of Adrian and therefore Rocky's brother-in-law.
He becomes Rocky's best friend and it is at the meat factory where Paulie worked that Rocky began his training by punching meat carcasses.
Burt Young
Young went on to star in five Rocky sequels in the '70s, '80s and '90s.
He had also appeared on Once Upon a Time in America, Back to School and Roomies.
The veteran star was also a published author whose works include two filmed screenplays and a historically based novel called Endings.
Young died at age 83 in October 2023.
Co-star Stallone wrote a touching tribute alongside a photo of the two, captioned: "To my Dear Friend, BURT YOUNG, you were an incredible man and artist, I and the World will miss you very much...RIP."
8 of 12Attribution: United Artists
Young went on to star in five Rocky sequels in the '70s, '80s and '90s.
He had also appeared on Once Upon a Time in America, Back to School and Roomies.
The veteran star was also a published author whose works include two filmed screenplays and a historically based novel called Endings.
Young died at age 83 in October 2023.
Co-star Stallone wrote a touching tribute alongside a photo of the two, captioned: "To my Dear Friend, BURT YOUNG, you were an incredible man and artist, I and the World will miss you very much...RIP."
Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed: Then
Carl Weathers played Apollo Creed, the elite champion who beats out his division of serious challengers before agreeing to fight Rocky, who was a rookie contender at the time.
In the third film of the franchise, Creed and Rocky put their differences aside and become mates.
9 of 12Attribution: Getty
Carl Weathers played Apollo Creed, the elite champion who beats out his division of serious challengers before agreeing to fight Rocky, who was a rookie contender at the time.
In the third film of the franchise, Creed and Rocky put their differences aside and become mates.
Carl Weathers: Now
Carl Weathers is now 75 and still working consistently in the industry.
He has appeared in the TV series Tour of Duty, Street Justice, In the Heat of the Night, Brothers and Colony.
Most recently, he starred as Greef Karga in The Mandalorian.
10 of 12Attribution: Getty
Carl Weathers is now 75 and still working consistently in the industry.
He has appeared in the TV series Tour of Duty, Street Justice, In the Heat of the Night, Brothers and Colony.
Most recently, he starred as Greef Karga in The Mandalorian.
Burgess Meredith as Mickey Goldmill: Then
Burgess Meredith played Mickey Goldmill. The smart-mouthed veteran owned the gym Rocky frequented and was among the first to see potential in the aspiring boxer. Mickey eventually goes on to train Rocky.
11 of 12Attribution: Getty
Burgess Meredith played Mickey Goldmill. The smart-mouthed veteran owned the gym Rocky frequented and was among the first to see potential in the aspiring boxer. Mickey eventually goes on to train Rocky.
Burgess Meredith: Now
Although he was already an established actor at the time, Burgess would go on to reprise his role of Mickey in all of the film's sequels.
The actor also appeared on the TV series Gloria, as well as in movies Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men, Clash of the Titans and The Last Chase.
He sadly died after battling Alzheimer's disease in 1997. He was 97.
Although he was already an established actor at the time, Burgess would go on to reprise his role of Mickey in all of the film's sequels.
The actor also appeared on the TV series Gloria, as well as in movies Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men, Clash of the Titans and The Last Chase.
He sadly died after battling Alzheimer's disease in 1997. He was 97.
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