Sylvester Stallone has admitted he is finding it difficult to see his eldest daughter Sophia begin a new chapter following her engagement, even though her fiancé has firmly won him over.
Speaking to Jimmy Fallon on Sunday night, the Rocky star reflected on the family milestone before sharing a story about dressing as Rambo to frighten a boyfriend at another father's request.
"It's hard for me to say it because it's time to have a new life of her own," Sylvester said of Sophia. "But she found a great man, great fiancé, Michael."
Sophia, 30, announced her engagement to Michael Sheehan in August, sharing photographs of the proposal on Instagram.
© Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty ImageSylvester's verdict on Sophia's fiancé
Jimmy acknowledged that dating the daughter of one of Hollywood's most recognisable action stars might be a daunting prospect.
"It is. It is tough," Sylvester agreed, before reassuring the host that Michael had made a good impression. "I like him very, very much," he said. "I think he's a stand-up guy. Great. Good-looking, got everything going."
The conversation offered a glimpse of Sylvester adjusting to his daughter's engagement, balancing his feelings about her growing independence with his enthusiasm for her future husband.
Sophia is the eldest of his three daughters with wife Jennifer Flavin. Her younger sisters are Sistine and Scarlet, with the family's relationships also explored in their reality series, The Family Stallone.
The Rambo prank he played on a boyfriend
Michael's warm welcome prompted Sylvester to recall a very different encounter, involving a famous man who disapproved of his daughter's boyfriend.
Without naming either person, the actor explained that the father had asked whether he could intervene. "So I went home, got my Rambo outfit, headband, fake blood," Sylvester told Jimmy, adding that the costume also included a knife and ammunition belt.
© Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty ImageDressed as his famous action character, he then answered the door to the unsuspecting visitor. Sylvester described the boyfriend as a "little comedian type guy" wearing his hat sideways, before demonstrating his intimidating greeting: "What do you want?"
Recounting the warning he delivered in character, Sylvester continued: "If you touch her, it's like touching me."
Jimmy asked whether the encounter had sent the visitor away. Sylvester indicated that it had, with the conversation making clear that the boyfriend had not been told he was being pranked. "I love that you did it," Jimmy responded.
© CBS via Getty ImagesSophia's engagement announcement
The interview follows a happier celebration for the Stallones. Sophia revealed her engagement on August 28, shortly after her 30th birthday. Photographs from the proposal showed the couple embracing amid candles and white roses, with other pictures offering a closer look at her engagement ring.
"Forever with my best friend," she wrote alongside the announcement. Sylvester also celebrated the news publicly, sharing his excitement on Instagram: "We are so ecstatic."
His latest comments to Jimmy made his affection for Michael equally clear. Despite the intimidating reputation that comes with playing Rocky and Rambo, the actor described his future son-in-law simply as "a great man".
