Sylvester Stallone has reflected on his decades-long rivalry with Arnold Schwarzenegger. He explained how the two 1980s action icons transitioned from fierce competitors to close friends. Speaking during recent promotional appearances and podcast interviews, Stallone detailed how their intense rivalry pushed both actors to elevate their cinematic careers.
From Bitter Box Office Battles to Lifelong Friendship
During a PaleyFest NY panel discussing his Paramount+ series Tulsa King, Sylvester Stallone compared the complex dynamic between his character Dwight Manfredi and co-star Frank Grillo’s Bill Bevilaqua to real-life relationships. Stallone noted that adversarial dynamics often push people to improve, drawing a direct parallel to his historic relationship with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“We’re good friends now. We’ve gotten mellow,” Stallone said during the panel, describing how time has healed old wounds. “But you have these two adversarial guys, and sometimes you really find that in real life, that just continues to up your game. That’s it.”
The rivalry between the two defining action stars of the 1980s began in earnest at the 1977 Golden Globe Awards. At the ceremony, Stallone’s breakout film Rocky was nominated for six awards, ultimately winning Best Motion Picture – Drama. Meanwhile, Schwarzenegger secured the New Star of the Year award for Stay Hungry. Incidents from that night-including reports of Schwarzenegger laughing when Rocky lost other categories and Stallone allegedly throwing a bowl of flowers-sparked a decades-long feud.
Why Stallone and Schwarzenegger Needed Each Other
In interviews on The New York Times podcast The Interview and The Sunday Times Magazine, Stallone elaborated on the sheer intensity of their competition. He described Schwarzenegger as an “immovable force” who relied on shrewd, psychological manipulation, contrasting with his own direct, “blunt force” style.
“We were at each other’s throats, big time. It wasn’t a joke. It was like life and death,” Stallone shared. “It’s like when one fighter insults the other, he’s going to train so much to put a beating on the other. We needed each other, absolutely.”
Schwarzenegger has echoed similar sentiments in recent years, including in his 2023 Netflix documentary series Arnold and a 2025 appearance on SiriusXM’s Radio Andy. The Terminator star admitted that they “truly loathed” each other during the height of their respective box office runs, but acknowledged that chasing Stallone’s success was vital for his own career growth.
How the Feud Finally Ended
The frost between the two cinematic titans began to thaw in the 1990s. This shift was largely driven by their joint business venture partnering alongside other celebrities in the Planet Hollywood restaurant chain. Over the years, the former rivals grew even closer, eventually sharing the screen together in blockbuster franchises like The Expendables series and Escape Plan (2013).
Schwarzenegger also invited Stallone to political events following his election as Governor of California, helping bridge the gap between their once-competitive worlds. Today, both actors frequently celebrate each other’s legacies, cementing their status as two of the most influential pioneers of over-the-top 1980s action cinema.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Rivalry
When did Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s rivalry start?
Their public rivalry officially began at the 1977 Golden Globe Awards, where both actors’ early films were recognized, leading to tension and competitive friction between the two rising stars.
What movies did Stallone and Schwarzenegger star in together?
After putting their feud behind them, they co-starred in The Expendables (2010), The Expendables 2 (2012), Escape Plan (2013), and The Expendables 3 (2014).
What did Stallone say about Schwarzenegger’s personality in the ’80s?
Stallone described Schwarzenegger as an “immovable force” who was highly confident, shrewd, and calculated in his career moves, contrasting himself as more of a direct, blunt-force competitor.
How did their feud finally end?
The rivalry mellowed out in the 1990s after the two actors partnered as investors in the Planet Hollywood restaurant chain, allowing them to move past personal animosity and build a genuine friendship.
Do Stallone and Schwarzenegger still talk today?
Yes, both actors are now good friends who frequently praise each other in interviews, documentaries, and joint media appearances, often reflecting fondly on their competitive past.
