Sylvester Stallone admits past bulimia and steroid use for Rocky physique

In promotion of his forthcoming memoir, Sylvester Stallone discussed how his obsession with a feral, one outlet look for the Rocky and Rambo series pushed him into dangerous habits. He described reaching a body fat level of 2.6 percent on Rocky III, which triggered bulimia, and admitted to using steroids in six-week on/off cycles to sustain the physique. Stallone said the pressure to appear aggressive was like “armor,” but the regimen caused severe health issues, including nine back operations, two shoulder surgeries and three neck fusions.

A later role in Cop Land, where he portrayed a physically weaker character, gave him a sense of liberation from that obsession. He reflected that he would now avoid doing his own stunts and wishes he had treated his body more kindly.