Throwback Photos of a Young Sylvester Stallone

The film legend has been fighting bad guys on the silver screen since the 1970s and delivered noted performances in films such as Rebel, The Lords of Flatbush and Capone. His career crescendoed in 1975 when he wrote the screenplay for Rocky, which was not only a box office hit, but also won over the critics.

The 1976 film garnered 10 nominations at the following year's Academy Awards. Though Stallone didn't win the Best Actor Oscar that year, he would take home the best supporting actor Golden Globe award decades later for reprising his role in 2015's Creed.

From walking the red carpet with his family and hanging out with his famous friends to some of his iconic on-screen moments, check out these throwback photos of Sylvester Stallone.

01 of 15

Adriaaannn!

Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa and Talia Shire as Adrian in Rocky. — Sylvester Stallone and Talia Shire in 1976.
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Sylvester Stallone and Talia Shire were deep in character as their famous lovers — Rocky and Adrian — in 1976's Rocky.

02 of 15

Sylvester Stallone at the Oscars

Following the success of Rocky in 1976, Sylvester Stallone was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor at 1977's Academy Awards. The wildly successful film walked in with 10 nominations total that year and took home three statuettes.

03 of 15

Titans of the Screen

Sylvester Stallone and Mr. T circa 1981 — Sylvester Stallone and Mr. T in 1981.
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For Rocky III, Sylvester Stallone took things to the next level and tapped the talents of Mr. T to bring some more conflict to the film. Here, the pair — who played enemies on-screen — are seen being chummy while at an event circa 1981.

04 of 15

The Coolest

Sylvester Stallone attends an event, benefitting Saint John's Hospital in Santa Monica, at Avco Theaters — Sylvester Stallone in 1984.
Pierre-Gilles Vidoli/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

In 1984, Sylvester Stallone was pictured looking super suave in this black-and-white photo taken at an event benefitting Saint John's Hospital in Los Angeles.

05 of 15

Secret Talent

Sylvester Stallone was a keen Polo player who also owned The White Eagle Ranch where he kept his horses, saddles and other polo playing paraphernalia photographed July 10, 1989 at The Santa Barbara Polo Ground, Montecito, California — Sylvester Stallone in 1989.
Paul Harris/Getty

Fun fact: Sylvester Stallone was a nationally ranked polo player when he was younger and would have continued playing the sport if it wasn't for his father "browbeating" him.

Still, he found love for the sport again later and is pictured above at the Santa Barbara Polo Ground in California in 1989.

06 of 15

Young and in Love

Sylvester Stallone Shares Throwback Photo with Wife Jennifer Flavin Miami Vice — Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin in 1991.
Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection/Getty

Stallone and his then-girlfriend Jennifer Flavin were spotted leaving Spago restaurant in Miami on Feb. 12, 1991. The two would get married six years later in 1997, after having welcomed their first baby, Sophia Rose, the previous year.

07 of 15

On the Walk of Fame

Sylvester Stallone and Dolly Parton exchanged a sweet look as they received their Hollywood Walk of Fame stars together in 1984.

08 of 15

Three Is Company

Actors Bruce Willis and Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Scharzenegger attend the grand opening of Planet Hollywood on October 22, 1991 in New York City. — Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1991.
Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Actors Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared to be having a good time at the grand opening of their Planet Hollywood restaurant in New York City on Oct. 22, 1991.

09 of 15

'It' Couple

Sylvester Stallone And Jennifer Flavin during Planet Hollywood Grand Opening in New York at Planet Hollywood in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) — Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin in 1991. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty

Sylvester Stallone also stepped out with girlfriend Jennifer Flavin for the Planet Hollywood grand opening in New York City that night.

10 of 15

Playing the Character

Sandra Bullock, Sylvester Stallone — Sylvester Stallone and Sandra Bullock in 1993. Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty

Sylvester Stallone and Sandra Bullock put on their acting hats as they shot scenes for 1993's Demolition Man.

11 of 15

Stallones' Night Out

Sylvester Stallone, son Sage Stallone and mother Jackie Stallone attend the "True Lies" Westwood Premiere on July 12, 1994. — Sylvester Stallone, son Sage Stallone and mother Jackie Stallone.
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

Sylvester Stallone brought his son Sage — whom he shared with Sasha Czack — and mother Jackie Stallone to the 1994 premiere of True Lies.

12 of 15

Making Movie Magic

Burt Young with actor and screenwriter Sylvester Stallone on the set of Rocky V directed by John G. Avildsen — Burt Young and Sylvester Stallone filming Rocky V in 1990.
Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images

Sylvester Stallone shared a pensive moment with Burt Young as the duo filmed 1990's Rocky V. Young played Rocky Balboa's righthand man, Paulie, in the famed franchise.

13 of 15

On the Town

Sylvester Stallone and Jackie Stallone. — Sylvester Stallone and Jackie Stallone in 1997.
SGranitz/WireImage

Even though Sylvester Stallone had a tumultuous relationship with his mother, it seemed the pair were having a good time in this charming photo taken at the 57th Annual Hollywood Women's Press Club Golden Apple Awards in 1997.

14 of 15

Night Out with Dad

Sylvester Stallone with his son, Sage Moonblood Stallone — Sylvester Stallone and his son Sage in 1993. Frank Trapper/Corbis

Sylvester Stallone attended the premiere of Cliffhanger in 1993 with his son, Sage Moonchild Stallone. Sage, who was also an actor, died from a heart attack in 2012. He was 36.

Stallone and ex Sasha Czack also share another son named Seargeoh, who's lived his life away from the spotlight.

15 of 15

Sylvester and His Girls

Sylvester Stallone, Jennifer Flavin and kids at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Nevada (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) — Sylvester Stallone, Jennifer Flavin and their daughters in 2006. Steve Granitz/WireImage

In addition to Sophia, Stallone and Flavin welcomed two more girls together — Sistine Rose in 1998 and Scarlet Rose in 2002. Above, Sylvester and his girls walk the red carpet for the premiere of Rocky Balboa in 2006.