Robaird O’Cearbhaill
Hong Kong Correspondent
Film megastar, Rocky and Rambo actor, Sylvester Stallone, disabled from birth, unlikely for Hollywood stardom, made it, with the help of God.
Sylvester Stallone was not even slightly expecting to be an actor, let alone a movie star, when he was growing up. He made it, through determination, against the odds and some help from God.
First of all, he was born after surgery on his mother went wrong and cut a nerve to the left side of his face, paralysing part of his face, including a lip which made talking very difficult. It was a long process before Stallone could speak intelligibly.
Secondly, he was a dreamer in school, so bad he got kicked out of fourteen schools. But from a tough childhood, abandoned by his mother, when he was nine, to stay with his father, he made it big in Hollywood as a one of the most popular action film stars.
“I think I’d like to be remembered as someone who beat the odds through just plain determination…that I persevered. Because I think that being somewhat of a pest to life, constantly plague-ing and pursuing, will bring results.” In another interview he said “pain, fear and failure. Being human is balancing your weaknesses and making them a strength.”
From poverty, Stallone became one of the most successful film personalities, not just from his Rocky screenplay but as the lead actor in the film, a worldwide superstar. He said that even while very young he wanted to be a superstar. “For every guy, there is an opportunity to be a lot better than he thought he could be. We can’t all be the star of the team, but we can be a star in our life. That’s where you set your goal.”
For Stallone, the Catholic faith is a cornerstone of his life: “The more I go to church and the more I turn myself over to the process of believing in Jesus and listening to His Word and having Him guide my hand, I feel as though the pressure’s off me now.” He also said: “I think there comes a time when you realize that you need God in your life, God’s Word, and the spiritual guidance that only He can give.”
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