Sylvester Stallone has always been known for his grit, resilience, and ability to turn challenges into opportunities. Recently, the legendary actor drew a fascinating comparison between his own early struggles in Hollywood and the career path of Taylor Sheridan — the creator of hit series like Yellowstone and Tulsa King.
As Stallone returns for season three of Tulsa King, premiering on September 21, he reflected on how Sheridan’s journey mirrors his own — marked by rejection, reinvention, and an unstoppable will to survive in the entertainment industry.
Two Artists, One Struggle
Stallone, now 79, recalls how he once faced a turning point in his career. “There was a crossroads where I knew I was always going to be ‘thug number three’ coming through the door,” Stallone admitted. “I saw the handwriting on the wall and knew I had to pivot, big time, and the same thing happened with him.”
Similarly, Sheridan, now 55, began as a serious actor but struggled to land meaningful opportunities. Despite appearing in films like Hell or High Water and roles in television shows, he never got the break he truly needed. As the years passed, he realized he had to change course.
“He was a serious actor, but no one was giving him his break,” Stallone said. “He realized the clock was running out, and he had to learn to write. He was always kind of a lonely kid, like I was. I was always making up fantasy stories in the mirror and all that stuff. But I get his dilemma. It isn’t because you wanted to, you had to, or you’re gone. He’s a survivalist.”
Finding Their Voice
For Stallone, the turning point was creating and writing Rocky. For Sheridan, it was moving behind the camera and writing some of the most gripping modern dramas in Hollywood.
Both men learned that if the door doesn’t open, you build a new one. Stallone crafted his own path by penning stories that resonated with audiences, while Sheridan transitioned into a world-class storyteller, writing films like Sicario and later creating Yellowstone — a cultural phenomenon.
“When we finally met — unwittingly at a barn, both riding horses — I started to talk to this kid,” Stallone recalled. “I go, ‘Why don’t you help me write Rambo 4?’ He says, ‘I’m working on this thing called Sicario.’ So he went off in his own direction, and so did I. About ten years later, here he comes with this idea.”
That idea became Tulsa King, and Stallone was immediately hooked.
Why Tulsa King Came at the Right Time
For Stallone, the role of Dwight “The General” Manfredi in Tulsa King arrived when he wanted to return to his dramatic roots. After decades of being the face of action franchises like Rocky and Rambo, Stallone longed for a character-driven role with emotional depth.
“My career started out dramatic, then it got very physical, and I wanted to stay in that action genre for a reason,” Stallone explained. “I thought it was kind of like modern mythology. Since we don’t really have new heroes like Achilles or Hercules, these were the characters we created.”
But as time passed, Stallone realized he wanted more: “I thought, ‘I want to go back to something like Rocky, which was a drama. There’s only six minutes of fighting outta two hours, that’s it. Then Taylor Sheridan called me and goes, ‘You want to play a gangster out of water in Tulsa, Oklahoma?’ I go, ‘Oh — now there’s a challenge. Absolutely.’”
Reinvention as Survival
Both Stallone and Sheridan embody the survivalist spirit. Neither man found success overnight. Stallone recalls arriving in Hollywood with no friends, no money, and no place to stay. “I’m kind of caught up in the fury of how I made it,” Stallone reflected. “I mean, literally coming here knowing no one from ground level, not a friend, not a dollar. I didn’t even know where to sleep. A couple of years later, you’re holding an Oscar. I thought, this is an unbelievable morality tale — and a cautionary tale, and every other kind of tale.”
Sheridan’s path was equally defined by struggle and perseverance. Acting opportunities dried up, but instead of walking away from Hollywood, he redefined his role in the industry. He shifted from actor to writer and showrunner — and in doing so, became one of the most influential voices in modern television.
Tulsa King: A Career High for Stallone
Now entering its third season, Tulsa King has become another milestone in Stallone’s career. The show not only reaffirms his staying power as a Hollywood legend but also highlights Sheridan’s brilliance as a storyteller. The blend of Stallone’s raw intensity with Sheridan’s sharp writing has created a series that fans eagerly anticipate each season.
With a fourth season already in the works, Tulsa King proves that reinvention, persistence, and the courage to pivot can lead to remarkable success stories.
A Lesson for Every Dreamer
Stallone and Sheridan’s parallel stories serve as inspiration for anyone facing rejection or uncertainty in their careers. Their message is clear: if the traditional path doesn’t work, carve your own. Success doesn’t always come in the form you expect, but it often comes to those who refuse to quit.
Their careers remind us that setbacks can be stepping stones, and failure often forces us into the path we were meant to follow. For both Stallone and Sheridan, survival wasn’t about ego — it was about necessity. And in that survival, they built legacies.
Conclusion
From struggling actors to powerhouse creators, Sylvester Stallone and Taylor Sheridan represent two sides of the same coin: resilience and reinvention. Their stories prove that success is not about luck alone — it’s about recognizing when it’s time to change direction and having the courage to do so.
As Tulsa King continues to thrive, Stallone celebrates not only his own evolution but also Sheridan’s, proving that sometimes the hardest battles create the most unforgettable victories.