Sylvester Stallone Defends Nepotism in Casting Daughter

Sylvester Stallone is addressing criticism of nepotism surrounding his daughter Scarlet Rose Stallone's role in the crime drama "Tulsa King." The veteran actor, 80, defended his decision, stating that parents should provide advantages for their children.

"First, they go, 'Nepotism is terrible.' I said, 'Oh please, you're not a good parent if you haven't performed a little nepotism. Then obviously you don't care about your kids, because they come first,'" Stallone told USA Today.

He further elaborated, "Of course it's nepotism, you idiot. That's why we're parents. We want the best for our children. So obviously we let them have every advantage."

Scarlet, 24, plays Spencer in "Tulsa King." Her role has expanded in the fourth season, with her character becoming more involved in the fictional criminal operation. Stallone stars as Dwight "The General" Manfredi, a mobster establishing a new empire in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after a prison sentence.

Stallone, known for his iconic roles in franchises like "Rocky" and "Rambo," also reflected on the physical toll his career has taken. He revealed that his work on "The Expendables" series resulted in numerous surgeries and injuries to his back, neck, and shoulders. "I have been injured many, many times, but after 'Expendables,' I ended up with nine back operations, three neck fusions. Both shoulders ripped out. It's been brutal," he stated in a previous interview with Fox News Digital.

Stallone shares three daughters, Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet, with his wife Jennifer Flavin. He has previously expressed regret over performing many of his own stunts, calling himself an "idiot" for the dangerous practices.