Reared in Hell’s Kitchen, accepting whatever bit part came tumbling his way, Sylvester Stallone learned early on that the path to respect wasn't going to be pretty. The one outlet to channel his feelings was his writing career, which by 1975 was no more fulfilling than his stalled acting endeavors.

It was by this time he assembled his thoughts into a star-making vehicle about an underdog: Rocky. Using his own life as a blueprint, with a nod to the Bayonne Bleeder, Stallone imbued his character a tangible desperation and sadness.