All great success stories of people that made it on their own have great struggle behind it. Fresh into journalism, I remember asking Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra about his struggle days and he quipped I don't even want to remember it!
The first in the series is the story of Sylvester Stallone - one of the most influential stars ever in motion-picture history.
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This story is pieced together, through various stories available in the public domain.
Sylvester Stallone was a struggling actor back in the day. At one point, he was so broke that he reportedly stole his wife’s jewelry and sold it. But this wasn't the end of the struggle, things got so bad that he even ended up homeless. He slept at the New York bus station for 3 days. Unable to pay rent or afford food.
Another low point was, when he tried to sell his dog at the liquor store to anyone; reason, Stallone didn’t have any money to feed his beloved dog anymore. He sold it for $25 only. He reportedly said he walked away crying.
Two weeks later, he saw a boxing match between Mohammed Ali and Chuck Wepner and voila that match gave him the inspiration to write the script for the now iconic movie, ROCKY.
But before Rocky became ROCKY, the script was just another of those million scripts that go from studio-execs to studio-execs awaiting production.
So did Stallone; with the script that he later told media, he wrote in only 20 hours!
Stallone tried to sell it and finally got an offer for $125,000 for the script; but Stallone was ambitious, he had just one condition or request - he wanted to star in the titular role in the movie. He wanted to be Rocky Balboa. The studio in question said a firm, NO.
Like every other studio, the studio wanted a saleable STAR to play the male lead.
Reportedly, the execs guffawed, "he looks funny and talks funnier”.
Stallone left with the script.
A few weeks later, the studio offered $250,000 for the script. Stallone refused.
They scaled-up the offer, because they wanted the script after realizing the written-materials' BO potential; but wanted to play safe, by not casting Stallone.
Now Stallone was firm, if they want the script, it is only with him in the lead.
Realizing that it's either Stallone's way or no way; the studio agreed. The offer was severely scaled-down though, $35,000 for the script and he be the star of the movie!
The rest is history!
Other than the Oscar wins; Stallone proved himself with a nomination for Best Actor at the Academy Awards.
MORAL OF THE STORY!
No one knows what you are capable of except yourself!People will judge you by how you look and by what you have.
Fight on!
Fight for your place in history. Fight for your glory. Never ever give up!
Even if it means selling all your clothes and sleeping with the dogs, it’s okay!
As long as your dreams are alive, your hope is alive, your story is not over.
Keep up the fight. Go get it!