Almost half a century ago, we first became acquainted with the future movie icon in the underdog drama “Rocky.” But only now has Sylvester Stallone revealed what actually lies behind the cult boxer’s last name
After almost 50 years on the scene and appearing in eight films, one would actually like to think that pretty much every mystery surrounding Rocky Balboa has been cleared up. Especially since the boxer, who first appeared in “Rocky” in 1976, is arguably one of the biggest icons in film history. But after all this time, even die-hard “Rocky” fans still have something to learn.
Rocky creator Sylvester Stallone himself has revealed exactly what the name of his cult figure is all about. It has long been known that both their first name and their fighting style are inspired by the real-life boxing legend Rocco Francis Marchegiano aka Rocky Marciano. But where does the last name Balboa actually come from?
MEMORY OF HEAVY HOLLYWOOD START
When Sylvester Stallone arrived in Los Angeles before his breakthrough, he had next to nothing. With no money and despite many setbacks in his search for roles in Hollywood, he stuck with it and soldiered on – and then, as a writer himself, made being an underdog the central theme of his first big success, “Rocky.”
As is often the case with creative processes, when writing the screenplay Sly incorporated people and places that had influenced him on his journey up to that point – whether positively or negatively – including in the case of Rocky Balboa’s last name. We’ll find out in the upcoming documentary “Sly,” which will be released on Netflix on November 3, 2023, and from which Rolling Stone has now already been able to present an exclusive clip in which Sly recounts his less than glorious arrival in L.A.
That time his car gave up the ghost in the middle of Sunset Boulevard, whereupon Stallone called the only person he knew in town at the time: actor Henry Winkler (“Happy Days”). He picked him up, but couldn’t put him up with him (not least because Sly still had a huge dog with him). So the young Stallone first stayed in a motel for a few days before he found an apartment on the outskirts of the city, which he himself describes as a “flophouse”. And it was located one street away from Balboa Boulevard.
So Rocky Balboa’s name is made up of a real boxing champion and the neighborhood where Sylvester Stallone had his very first place to stay in L.A., and which – despite being so shabby – was quite central to the later superstar’s arduous struggle to succeed. For more on the bumpy career beginnings, steep rise and eventful life of the now 77-year-old, check out the aforementioned Netflix documentary in just over a week.
