Two of Hollywood’s biggest action stars, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, recently sat down for a joint interview where they discussed their past rivalry and how it impacted their careers.
The interview, titled TMZ Presents: Arnold & Sly: Rivals, Friends, Icons, aired on FOX and delved into the competitive relationship between the two actors during the ’80s and ’90s.
Schwarzenegger, 76, acknowledged that Stallone’s presence in the industry motivated him to push himself further. “He was very helpful in my career because I had something that I could chase,” Schwarzenegger shared during the interview. Stallone, 77, reciprocated the sentiment, admitting that Schwarzenegger’s arrival on the scene gave him a new drive and sense of competition.
The actors reminisced about a humorous incident at the 1977 Golden Globe awards where Stallone playfully taunted Schwarzenegger by throwing flowers at him after both receiving accolades for their films Rocky and Stay Hungry. Despite the rivalry, both actors eventually became friends and now admire each other for their different qualities.
Schwarzenegger praised Stallone’s dedication and passion, stating, “I wish I could be as passionate about things as he is.”
In return, Stallone commended Schwarzenegger for being consistently level-headed and strategic in his approach to filmmaking. The actors also shared insights into their emotional sides, highlighting that despite their tough on-screen personas, they are both sensitive individuals.
