Stallone: Rivalry Ended When Schwarzenegger Ran For Office

Sylvester Stallone says his intense professional rivalry with Arnold Schwarzenegger lasted for two decades. He stated that the competition ended only when Schwarzenegger left the film industry to run for governor of California. The actors’ mutual challenge defined their careers during the 1980s and 1990s. Stallone spoke about this dynamic during a recent appearance on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast.

Stallone confirmed that the constant comparison with Schwarzenegger shaped his work. He described the era as highly confrontational. Both men arrived at the start of the action genre with a desire to define it. Stallone did not originally see himself as an action star. He found the genre compelling after making First Blood. He viewed well-crafted action films as a form of modern mythology. He compared these works to classical stories like The Iliad and the Odyssey.

The actor recalled an early encounter at the Golden Globe Awards. He felt a specific tension from Schwarzenegger in that moment. He described the experience as a case of stink eye. Schwarzenegger was fixated on him during the event. Stallone noted that Schwarzenegger won an award that evening. That early interaction set the tone for a long period of mutual professional challenge.

The two actors continued to vie for the top spot in the action genre. Stallone explained that they both enjoyed challenging one another. Their rivalry played out on and off the screen. This dynamic is evident in their film releases. Stallone’s Rambo competed with Schwarzenegger’s Commando. Despite the intensity, Stallone admitted he genuinely enjoyed the contentious nature of their relationship.

Their professional paths crossed in business in 1991. The two partnered to open Planet Hollywood, a movie-themed restaurant chain. Stallone pointed out that their competitive spirit remained strong in these shared ventures. He noted that the two men would not even share a stage to deliver a speech. This highlighted how deeply embedded the rivalry was in their dynamic at the time.

The turning point came approximately twenty years after the height of their competition. Stallone stated that the rivalry was put to rest when Schwarzenegger decided to run for governor. He recalled meeting his former rival at a cigar shop. He felt it was time to acknowledge that they were no longer in direct competition. Since Schwarzenegger was no longer making movies, the professional stakes were removed. Stallone said he thanked Schwarzenegger for waking him up and keeping him motivated. The two actors remain friendly today. They will always be competitive by nature, but that intensity is no longer as pronounced as it was during their peak years in Hollywood.