In the latest episode of The Family Stallone, the legendary Sylvester Stallone opens up about the severe toll a daring stunt took on his health, leading to not one, not two, but seven surgeries.
Stallone delves into the origin of his ongoing battle with back issues, tracing it back to an ill-fated stunt with none other than wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin during the filming of The Expendables.
Reflecting on the incident, Stallone recounts the reckless decision to perform his own stunts, a choice that had lasting consequences. In a brutal fight scene for the 2010 film, Austin body-slammed the then 60-something Stallone against a stone wall.
The impact resulted in dislocated shoulders and a neck fracture, propelling Stallone into a relentless cycle of surgeries and recovery.
During The Family Stallone, he candidly admits, “I did stupid stuff. I was directing Expendables, and, like an idiot, I’m doing take 10, take whatever, and I remember one slam, and I could actually feel one bang.” This single moment marked the beginning of a health saga that would haunt Stallone for years.
Steve Austin, Stallone’s co-star and wrestling partner in the ill-fated stunt, was aware of the consequences. Stallone acknowledges that he “never recovered” from the incident, and life post-The Expendables was never the same. The aftermath included the insertion of a metal plate into his neck and spinal fusions, a testament to the physical toll of pushing the limits in the name of action.
In a heartfelt warning to aspiring action heroes, Stallone reflects, “So I warn people, ‘Don’t do your own stunts.’” The personal account serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made in the pursuit of cinematic excellence and the enduring impact it can have on one’s well-being.
