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When a broke Sylvester Stallone turned down $300,000 so he could be Rocky

Sylvester Stallone would never have become the movie character Rocky Balboa had he accepted the offer producers made to buy his script for Rocky in 1976 at $300,000, which is over $1 million dollars in today's money.

Stallone as Rocky Balboa

Describing himself as "pretty broke" at the time, Stallone actually had about $100 in his bank account when he got the offer.

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"They wanted every celebrated actor at the time," Stallone said. "And big-name directors, when they found out I wanted to be involved, they scattered, ran for the hills."

A risky move, to be sure. And how someone turns down $300,000 while they have $100 in the bank is beyond most people’s comprehension, but, still, it paid off.

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As the owner of the film's rights, Stallone stuck to his guns and held out until everyone either realised he was the guy for the part, or simply gave up trying to tell him no.

The result, of course, was Stallone in the role that won Rocky 1 three Academy Awards in 1976, including Best Picture.

Stallone went on to make many other movies, but the Rocky movies are perhaps his most iconic. Not only because of their powerful action scenes, but mostly because of their inspirational messaging.

In Rocky 6, Rocky Balboa says: Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! Now if you know what you're worth then go out and get what you're worth.”

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These words, much like most of the Rocky memorabilia, are something to live by.

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