Actor Sylvester Stallone says he regrets performing his own stunts after years of injuries and surgery. He has urged fellow performers to let professionals handle dangerous scenes.
The 80-year-old “Tulsa King” star discussed the lasting physical damage in an interview with Fox News Digital published on Tuesday.
Stallone said he had undergone nine back operations and three neck fusions. He described damage to both shoulders and eye procedures involving implanted lenses.
Surgery had not restored his previous physical condition, he explained. He now tries to manage the continuing pain and accept the limitations left by his injuries.
His injury history includes a fractured neck during filming of “The Expendables”, the 2010 action film he directed and starred in. A scene involving a tackle by professional wrestler Steve Austin left him with dislocated shoulders and a neck injury that required a metal plate.
Asked whether he took pride in performing such scenes himself, Stallone dismissed the idea. He regarded the damage as the consequence of poor decisions rather than an achievement.“Don’t. Don’t. Let the pro do it,” he said.
His warning extended beyond the immediate danger of a fall. He explained that injuries can cause problems long after filming ends, comparing it to the lasting physical toll on football players.
Stallone’s memoir, “The Steps”, was published by William Morrow on September 29. It recounts his early career and the creation of “Rocky”. Paramount+ premieres the fourth season of “Tulsa King” on Friday.
