Could the success of the "Rocky" movies really have occurred if perhaps someone else, other than Sylvestor Stallone, had been cast as the lead? Probably not. This certain quality of cocky-stubborn, persistence that Stallone acquired left thousands of men cheering him silently on in the theaters, while the women sat and coveted his love interests. He was muscular, confident, and loud, all of the qualities that helped push Stallone to the top and left all of the other meek and polite young talents in the dark. So it's no surprise he continued with the action flick direction. Stallone sure had the typical stereotype for it.

In fact, some say that Stallone is the man who caused the definition of such a stereotype in the first place. Films like "Nighthawks" (1981), "First Blood" (1982), "Rambo: First Blood Part II" (1985), and "Cliffhanger" (1993), only added to his Hollywood success, and soon overshadowed every other action hero, maybe not by acting ability, but merely by who he was; someone to be noticed.

Off screen, Sylvestor Stallone is a paradox, living a life full of little ironies; perhaps that's why America fell in love with him.  (CD)