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The role of "Rocky Balboa" in 1976 made Sylvester Stallone world famous. He also wrote the script and even received an Oscar nomination for the part of the working-class boxer of Italian descent who pursues the American dream. Stallone went on to also pen the scripts for the five 'Rocky' sequels, except for the spin-off movie series 'Creed', which came out in 2015.
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He might be in his seventies by now, but "Sly" still looks great. The talented actor still produces and stars in movies on a regular basis, and does so in style. For the 2015 'Rocky' spin-off 'Creed', he reprised his role of "Rocky Balboa" and received yet another Oscar nomination - this time, for Best Actor in a Supporting Role! Well deserved, if we may say so...
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She was Stallone's leading lady: Talia Shire played "Rocky's" great love "Adrian" for the first five installments of the franchise— and who doesn't remember the legendary quote when the boxer yells out "Yo Adrian, I did it!"? Shire was also nominated for two Academy Awards for her great work in the franchise.
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In case you did not know: Talia Shire is actually the sister of director Francis Ford Coppola and therefore part of the famous Coppola family, one of the great Hollywood dynasties. Her son, Jason Schwartzman, is also a really successful actor!
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Burt Young portrayed "Rocky's" friend and brother-in-law "Paulie Pennino" for all six movies of the franchise. Just like Stallone and Shire, he also received an Oscar nomination in 1977 for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
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Burt Young, who is now 80 years old, is still working as an actor these days. His most recent appearances were in the drama 'The Neighbourhood' and in the Netflix drama series 'Russian Doll'.
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This very ripped body belongs to "Rocky's" arch enemy "Apollo Creed," who was played by Carl Weathers in the first four movies. He later became a friend of the protagonist.
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After his role in the 'Rocky' franchise, Carl Weathers appeared mainly as a guest actor on a variety of TV shows. On his resume, we find shows such as 'The Shield', 'Arrested Development', 'Emergency Room', 'Psych' and 'Chicago P.D.' He also currently stars in the Disney+ series 'The Mandalorian'!
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In the fourth movie, which was aptly named 'Rocky IV', Dolph Lundgren took over as "Rocky's" nemesis in the ring and portrayed the boxer "Ivan Drago", who hailed from the Soviet Union.
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Dolph Lundgren, who actually also had a career as a boxer in real life, later accepted the role of "Gunner Jensen" in 'The Expendables' in 2010, which meant that he would star in another great franchise with his old pal Sylvester Stallone. What do they say? "Never change a winning team!"
Everyone still remembers "Rocky Balboa" preparing for the big fight and running up the steps before the entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art!
But do you still know all the actors who've appeared in the franchise?
Whatever happened to Sylvester Stallone, "Adrian," "Apollo Creed," "Drago" and more? Find out in this gallery. Enjoy!