Happy birthday, Sylvester Stallone!
The three-time Oscar nominee, known also as "Sly" or the "Italian Stallion," celebrated his milestone 80th birthday on July 6.
Another year around the sun marks another decade in the business for the actor, who made his screen debut in 1970 and endured rough times, including homelessness, for years before getting his big break with Rocky.
Take a walk down memory lane as we look at some choice early photos of Sylvester, capturing his youth and his early days in Hollywood…
© Alamy Stock Photo1960: Teenage Sylvester
Born Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone in 1946, Sylvester spent his early years bouncing around foster and boarding care before moving back in with his family at five. He moved to Philadelphia with his mother following his parents' divorce, pictured here at 14.
© Getty Images1970: Film debut
In 1970, his screen debut finally came, plus a $200 paycheck, in the softcore pornographic film The Party at Kitty and Stud's, made on a budget of $5000. The film was later re-released as Italian Stallion to capitalize on his Rocky fame.
© Getty Images1971: Bit parts
For the next three years, he kept bouncing from film to film, playing uncredited extras and minor roles. Here he's pictured playing a subway thug in Woody Allen's 1971 comedy Bananas.
© Getty Images1972: Reaching his final straw
By 1972, Sylvester almost gave up on acting, especially after losing out on being an extra in The Godfather. He did play a background extra in Barbra Streisand's hit screwball comedy What's Up, Doc? that same year, although he was barely visible in the movie.
© Getty ImagesGetty Images1974: The Lords of Flatbush
One of Sylvester's first leading roles came in the 1974 comedy The Lords of Flatbush, which capitalized on the decade's fascination with Greaser culture. It also starred Henry Winkler, who would go on to become a household name that same year when he joined the cast of Happy Days.
© Getty Images1975: Pre-fame
By 1975, he had played supporting, minor and uncredited parts in nearly 20 movie and TV projects, none of which brought him notable success. However, that was also the same year he saw the Muhammad Ali vs. Chuck Wepner fight, which inspired him to prepare a first draft for a movie named Rocky.
© Getty Images1977: Rocky and superstardom
Released in November 1976, Rocky was an immediate smash hit, becoming the year's highest grossing movie, and putting "Sylvester Stallone" on the nationwide radar. It made him a star and earned him two Oscar nominations, going on to win Best Picture.
