Arnold Schwarzenegger Admits Sylvester Stallone Was a 'threat' During Acting Rivalry

Arnold Schwarzenegger has opened up about his past rivalry with fellow action star Sylvester Stallone, admitting that he viewed Stallone as a "threat" and "competition" during the height of their acting careers in the 1980s and 90s. In a recent story, Schwarzenegger reflected on how their fierce competition actually helped drive their success in Hollywood.

"I started this whole thing by being competitive and saying stupid things," Schwarzenegger said, referring to their rivalry that began at the 1977 Golden Globe Awards. Stallone's film Rocky had just won Best Picture after Schwarzenegger claimed the New Actor of the Year award. "Stallone was very helpful in my career because I had someone to chase and compete with," Schwarzenegger added.

Stallone echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging that Schwarzenegger's arrival in Hollywood was like "finally something to motivate me." He recalled an incident at the Golden Globes where he threw flowers at Schwarzenegger out of competitiveness. "I felt the need to 'get that guy' when we were in the same room," Stallone said.

The actors' rivalry extended beyond awards shows, with Schwarzenegger even once pretending to be interested in a film called Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot just to ensure it landed in Stallone's lap. Stallone called the movie a "critical flop" but admitted Schwarzenegger's "Machiavellian" move was effective.

Why this matters: The Schwarzenegger-Stallone rivalry is a prime example of how competition can fuel success and push individuals to greater heights in their careers. Their story also highlights the evolution of a rivalry into a friendship, as the two action icons have since collaborated on films and now express admiration for each other's unique qualities.

Despite their past animosity, Schwarzenegger and Stallone have become good friends in recent years. They have co-starred in films like The Expendables and Escape Plan, and even carved Halloween pumpkins together in 2022. Schwarzenegger now admires Stallone's passion and emotional vulnerability, while Stallone recognizes Schwarzenegger's "big heart" and ability to "get it done" like a chess player.

Key Takeaways

• Schwarzenegger and Stallone viewed each other as rivals in the 1980s-90s.
• Their competition drove their success in Hollywood, per their own accounts.
• Stallone once threw flowers at Schwarzenegger out of competitiveness.
• Schwarzenegger once sabotaged Stallone's film to ensure it landed in his lap.
• The rivals have since become good friends, co-starring in films and collaborating.