Sylvester Stallone Calls Himself an 'Idiot' for Performing Own Stunts, Details Extensive Surgeries
The action star reflects on decades of injuries, advising others not to follow his path.
Sylvester Stallone has expressed deep regret over performing his own stunts, calling himself an “idiot” for the decision that led to numerous injuries and extensive medical procedures. The actor revealed in an interview with Fox News Digital that he has accumulated “millions” of regrets from his career as an action star.
Stallone detailed a cascade of injuries sustained over the years, stating, “I have been injured many, many times, but after ‘Expendables,’ I ended up with nine back operations, three neck fusions. Both shoulders ripped out, eye, you know, all kinds of lens put… it’s been brutal.” He admitted that he has “never been quite the same” since undergoing these surgeries and now must “make peace with the pain as much as you can."
The primary lesson Stallone has learned at 80 years old is the importance of letting professionals handle dangerous tasks. “Don’t be a stage hawk, or whatever you call it, a showboat. I know a lot of people are thinking about doing stunts… don’t. Don’t. Let the pro do it,” he advised. “Let me explain something, you cannot beat gravity, when you hit the ground, you lose, and it’s going to come back.” He further commented on the perception of pride in his stunt work, stating, “No. I think I’m an idiot for doing that. I’m proud that I broke myself in pieces. Like, duh, no.”
Tulsa King Season Four
Stallone is also preparing for the fourth season of his series “Tulsa King,” set to premiere on October 16, 2026. He expressed continued enthusiasm for his character, Dwight Manfredi, noting that the character’s unfulfilled goals and continuous dramatic challenges are crucial for the show’s appeal. “He still hasn’t achieved his goal, just when he thinks he’s arrived, another situation, another dramatic episode presents itself, which is exactly what the show needs,” Stallone said.
The upcoming season will introduce new adversaries and internal conflicts for Manfredi. “Well, it’s quite shocking to start off with because certain elements happen that it’s… quite unnerving. And now I’m presented with a new level of, you might say, adversaries, gangsters, criminals that are coming at me technologically, politically, and mafioso-ishly from New York,” he explained. “So, I’m getting bombarded from all sides. Plus, I have internal struggles with some of my own crew. So it’s kind of like having like a cuckoo’s nest and trying to reign it all in, you know what I mean?”
Personal Life and Relocation
Beyond his professional life, Stallone discussed a significant personal change: his permanent move with his wife, Jennifer Flavin, from California to Florida in 2024. He stated that the relocation has made him feel “invigorated” after experiencing a sense of complacency in California.
“When we went to Florida, I didn’t know one person. And now we have a great circle. So it’s the best move,” Stallone said, attributing the positive change to the environment. “There’s something that’s invigorating and nourishing, and I think goes to our biology that makes us happier.”
Stallone and Flavin have three daughters: Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet. He also commented on his oldest daughter Sophia’s engagement to Michael Sheehan, playfully noting Sheehan's nurturing qualities, which he feels set a high standard. “He is very nurturing. So I actually wish I was sort of like that when I was younger. I didn’t learn those skills from my family. A good morning was good morning, punch in the face. He’s wonderful and two more to go.”