Dolph Lundgren Says Shared Abusive Childhood Fostered Understanding with Sylvester Stallone
The actor reflected on his decades-long friendship with Stallone, attributing their bond to similar traumatic upbringings and his gratitude for career revitalizations.
Dolph Lundgren believes his shared experience of an abusive childhood created a unique understanding between him and Sylvester Stallone, a bond that has sustained their friendship for four decades.
In a recent interview, Lundgren, who has released his documentary "Dolph: Unbreakable," expressed his appreciation for the "Rocky" star, crediting Stallone with significantly reviving his career.
"I think part of what's kept it going is I always have been very grateful to him and loving towards him," Lundgren said. "We've had our ups and downs, but I think, you know, he's discovered a lot of new talent and I think some of them perhaps haven't been as grateful maybe as some others, and I've always paid my respects to him because he's responsible not just for 'Rocky IV' but 'The Expendables.' I did four of those movies, which resurrected my career."
Lundgren noted that he had not appeared on the big screen for 25 years prior to his involvement in "The Expendables."
He described Stallone as a "complicated guy" but one he understands due to their similar backgrounds. "We have a similar background, so I always knew where he was coming from, which I think he knows," Lundgren explained. He added that both he and Stallone have become more open over the years about their upbringings and past struggles.
The parallels in their lives extend beyond their childhoods. Lundgren pointed out that they both have daughters – Stallone has three, and Lundgren has two – and suggested that few people can truly comprehend the experiences of action stars who endured abusive childhoods, face numerous injuries, and are fathers.
"I know he's a complicated guy, but we have a similar background, so I always knew where he was coming from, which I think he knows."
— Dolph Lundgren
Stallone and Lundgren's relationship has seen its share of challenges since they first met during the filming of "Rocky IV." Stallone once shared that he initially disliked Lundgren, perceiving him as "too perfect." However, they eventually developed a strong friendship and collaborated again on "The Expendables" film series.
More recently, Lundgren mentioned a brief "falling out" over a proposed "Drago" spin-off. Their relationship was rekindled after Stallone learned of Lundgren's cancer diagnosis, leading to a closer bond once again.
Lundgren's documentary, "Dolph: Unbreakable," released on VOD and digital platforms on October 6, 2026, aims to offer a more personal look at the actor. The film includes interviews with Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Jean-Claude Van Damme, alongside home videos and archival photos, to present a "raw and revealing portrait" of Lundgren.
"I wanted people to see, to put together the puzzle of how, why did I play those characters and why did I end up being unbreakable, or at least appear to be unbreakable," Lundgren stated about the documentary. "It was all my personal journey. And I think hopefully other people may be able to relate to some of that."
