Sylvester Stallone opened up about his relationship with his late son Sage in his new Netflix documentary Sly.
Sage, who tragically died of coronary heart disease in July 2012 at the age of 36, played the role of Rocky Balboa’s son Robert in the 1990 film Rocky V.
In the sequel’s plot, Sage’s character Robert felt neglected as his father focused his efforts on mentoring young boxer Tommy Gunn, played by the late Tommy Morrison.
In the streaming documentary, the 77-year-old actor makes a number of personal revelations and said that “unfortunately” aspects of the Rocky V storyline were lifted from the real-life relationship between the two.
Stallone, who wrote the screenplay for the film, which also starred Talia Shire and the late Burt Young, said he used his writing to inspire him to take his characters to places he wanted them to go.
Details: Sylvester Stallone, 77, opened up about his relationship with his late son Sage in his new Netflix documentary Sly
In the sequel’s plot, Sage’s character Robert felt neglected as his father focused his efforts on mentoring young boxer Tommy Gunn, played by the late Tommy Morrison
“I’m trying to take something that is actually what I would have wanted in real life, but I haven’t been able to do that in reality,” said the three-time Oscar nominee. “And so I made it theatrical and magical quite a lot… A lot of it is true.”
When the film was released in November 1990, Stallone was coming off a stellar career, with a decade of success, including several films in the Rocky and Rambo franchises.
“Unfortunately, you put things before your family,” he said in the document. “And the effects are quite radical and devastating.”
Speaking to People in 1996, Sage acknowledged the artistic imitation of life aspect depicted in Rocky V, citing a scene from the film in which he fought with his father.
“When I screamed, ‘You never spent any time with me! You never spent time with my mother,’ was that true,” he said. “I looked my dad in the face and really said that.”
Sage said that “after the film, everything” changed for the better for him and his father.
“I got a lot of things out,” he said. “We burst into tears a few times. “We would do anything for each other.”
Sly shows footage from a Rocky V premiere where he and his son walked the red carpet.
In the streaming documentary, the 77-year-old actor said that “unfortunately” aspects of the 1990 film’s plot were lifted from the real-life relationship between the two
Stallone, who wrote the screenplay for the film, said that through his writing he would be inspired to take his characters to the places he wanted them to go
When the film was released in November 1990, Stallone was coming off a stellar career, with a decade of success, including several films in the Rocky and Rambo franchises
“There’s a line in the film: ‘I’m so glad he was born because now I can live through your eyes,'” Stallone said at the premiere, as seen in the documentary. “I think that’s what fathers want from their children.” It’s an extension, a piece of immortality.
“As long as he lives, your memory of doing something right will always remain alive. I mean, that’s what you hope for.”
In August 2012, Stallone told Good Morning America that he was having a “very difficult time” dealing with the loss of his son.
“Hopefully time will heal and you try to get through it, but it’s just something,” he said. “It’s a reality of life.” I think it’s important to come back and relive life. Otherwise you end up in a spiral.”
The Tulsa King star is also father to daughters Sophia, 27, and Sistine, 25, as well as Scarlet, 21, with his wife Jennifer Flavin, 55. With his first wife Sasha Czack (73) he has two sons – Seargeoh (44) and Sage.
Stallone took to Instagram on Tuesday to thank viewers of the documentary, which debuted earlier this month.
“Thank you to everyone for watching SLY on @netflix,” he said. “I’m overwhelmed by the response and glad you enjoyed it. Keep hitting.”
Sylvester Stallone, Sage Stallone and Jennifer Flavin were photographed in Paris in November 1995
Stallone took to Instagram on Tuesday to thank viewers of the documentary, which debuted earlier this month
In an accompanying clip, he said: “Hello everyone, I’m outside talking to the birds… I want to thank everyone for tuning in to the Netflix documentary.”
“It was quite a surprise and a revelation because I wasn’t expecting the reaction and I think when you feel relaxed enough you start talking and before you know it the layers come off and you start talking a lot “reveal” yourself that no one ever expected it from you.
He added: “Sometimes these things just get covered up because humans – you shed your skin and become a different personality – I don’t think we ever shed our skin, I just think it just keeps getting fatter and fatter and fatter.”
“And very often, when the opportunity presents itself, you delve deeper into the matter and reconsider why you are the way you are.”
At the end he said, “Keep hitting,” and added, “Take care of yourself, thank you.”