100 Entrepreneurs Who Changed The World
60. Stallone, Sylvester (1946- )
“I take rejection as someone blowing a bugle in my ear to wake me up and get going, rather than retreat.”
Sylvester Stallone is an American actor, writer, and film director who is best known for his roles John Rambo and Rocky Balboa. Stallone is a true rags to riches story. He believed so much in his script for Rocky he put everything he had into selling it to major studios. During this time he was so poor he had to give up his best friend and only companion, his dog, which he sold for $50. Heartbroken he continued on, only to have an offer come in for $100,000. Despite his poverty he declined, the reason being they didn’t want Stallone to star as Rocky Balboa. Stallone held out, insisting he had to be the star. His patience paid off and Rocky is considered an all-time classic. Upon his success, Stallone repurchased his dog and went on to have a hugely successful career. He would write and star in every installment in the Rambo and Rocky franchises, in addition to various other leading actions roles.
