Sylvester Stallone Details Health Struggles, Including Bulimia and Steroid Use

Sylvester Stallone has revealed a series of health challenges he faced throughout his career, including developing bulimia nervosa while preparing for his role in the 1982 film "Rambo" and admitting to past steroid use.

In an interview with The New York Times, Stallone, 80, described how his efforts to appear more "animalistic" for "Rambo" led to an obsession with his physique. "Really bad. It got to the point where I became bulimic," he stated.

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviors such as vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or excessive exercise, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Stallone elaborated on his experience, saying, "I couldn’t hold anything down. Or I didn’t want to keep it down because I became so obsessed with staying at that point of fitness, literally an obsessive body-worship kind of thing."

During the filming of "Rocky III," Stallone reached a body fat percentage of 2.6%. The National Academy of Sports Medicine considers body fat below 8% for men ages 20-69 and below 14% for women ages 20-69 to be "dangerously low."

The actor also acknowledged using steroids during certain periods, explaining, "You have to. But you do it in a sensitive way — six weeks on, six weeks off. That also took a terrible toll."

Years of injuries sustained from performing his own stunts have also significantly impacted Stallone's body, resulting in multiple surgeries on his back, shoulder, and neck. "I’ve abused my body," he said. "Everything is held together with baling wire, but I still want to stay in good shape."

Stallone also disclosed his decades-long struggle with anxiety, recounting his first panic attack at age 36 while watching footage from one of his films. He described sudden physical symptoms such as hair standing on end and feeling hot, believing he was dying. These panic attacks recurred frequently, often before high-profile television appearances, and as he aged, he experienced continued anxiety and a tendency to leave crowded rooms.

Experts have commented on Stallone's disclosures. Brian Pollack, a licensed clinical social worker and certified eating disorders specialist, called Stallone's willingness to share his experience "incredibly admirable." Pollack suggested that the pressure to maintain his public image as Rocky, combined with career demands, fear of failure, and the entertainment industry's standards, may have fueled Stallone's rigorous routines and past steroid use.

Giulia Suro, a licensed clinical psychologist and certified eating disorder expert, noted that Stallone's revelation challenges the misconception that eating disorders are primarily female illnesses. She added that the need for men to enhance their appearance to align with their public persona and personal comfort has been a factor for decades.