Sylvester Stallone and Philadelphia celebrate one another
1976 introduced the world to the ultimate underdog story with the first Rocky film. Philadelphia played host to the rise of not just Rocky Balboa but Sylvester Stallone as an icon of perseverance and strength. December 3 has been declared Rocky Day in honor of the film’s release, and on its 47th anniversary, Stallone was given the keys to the city he’s become synonymous with.
One of the most memorable scenes in this quintessential sports film features Rocky running up the 72 steps leading to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The moment has become so famous that they are now dubbed Rocky Steps, a place of pilgrimage for fans across the country. It was just near here that Stallone was given the keys to the city, completing his own underdog journey that parallels Rocky’s in many ways.
Not far from the Philadelphia Museum Of Art, there stands a statue of Rocky, which watches over the new Rocky Shop, dedicated to merchandise related to the franchise. Rain chilled the air on Sunday but residents of Philadelphia still came out to witness Stallone receive this unique honor.
“Life is a fight,” said Stallone to the sizable crowd. “It’s a tough fight and get ready. You’re going to win some and you’re gonna lose a lot.”
He continued, “But the real victory is in never giving up and going the distance for yourself, your loved ones, and standing at the top of these steps you’re reminded that all things are possible. Keep punching.”
Stallone’s own journey had plenty of pitfalls – even right from the very start. Complications during his birth led to doctors using forceps to bring him into the world. This, in turn, severed a nerve and affected his facial features and speech patterns. At school, kids made this a target of their bullying. To cope, Stallone took up bodybuilding.
Stallone’s early life was not illustrious and found himself homeless for a time. When he sought out movie roles, he recalled, “It was either do that movie or rob someone, because I was at the end – the very end – of my rope.”
Rocky represented a turning point for Stallone, just as Philadelphia’s favorite son would rise to the top. It almost wasn’t, though, and Stallone held his ground when negotiating with United Artists to maintain the rights to the film and to stay the star. With a budget of $1 million, Rocky ended up grossing $225 million at the global box office.
After working odd jobs, getting fired, and preparing to give up on acting completely, Stallone stood by steps named in his honor, not just receiving the keys to Philadelphia but also cutting the ribbon at the Rocky Shop and celebrating its opening ceremony. Stallone reportedly donated $100,000 to get the shop going and its first year of profits will go towards restoring the Art Museum’s East Terrance and Rocky Steps.
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