Rocky Balboa is a Philadelphia club fighter who seems to be going nowhere. But when a stroke of fate puts him in the ring with a world heavyweight champion, Rocky knows that it's his one shot at the big time — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go the distance and come out a winner!
Writing
Stallone wrote this broke in three days. Legend.
Acting
Stallone's vulnerability—before he became a cartoon.
Score
Those horns will live rent-free in your head forever.
Director
John G. Avildsen
Sylvester Stallone
Robert 'Rocky' Balboa
Talia Shire
Adrianna 'Adrian' Pennino
Burt Young
Paulie Pennino
Carl Weathers
Apollo Creed
Burgess Meredith
Mickey Goldmill
Thayer David
George 'Miles' Jergens
Joe Spinell
Tony Gazzo
Jimmy Gambina
Mike
Bill Baldwin
Fight Announcer
Al Silvani
Cut Man
George Memmoli
Ice Rink Attendant
Diana Lewis
TV Commentator
George O'Hanlon
TV Commentator
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Stallone refused $350,000 for the script unless he starred. He had $106 in the bank.
The Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art are now a pilgrimage site—run them and you join a sweaty, gasping community.
US
