Sylvester Stallone, the legendary action star known for his indestructible on-screen persona, recently revealed that he has undergone seven major back surgeries due to severe injuries sustained while filming the first Expendables movie back in 2010.
In the second season of The Family Stallone, now streaming on Paramount+, the 77-year-old actor and filmmaker was seen preparing for yet another surgery — a consequence of a brutal stunt that went terribly wrong during production.
“I did something stupid,” Stallone admitted. “I was directing The Expendables, and like an idiot, I kept saying, ‘Let’s do another take.’ After one particular slam, I heard a crack — and I knew I was in trouble.”
That “slam” came from none other than WWE legend Steve Austin, Stallone’s co-star, who had to throw him against a stone wall for a fight sequence. The impact left Stallone with a fractured neck and dislocated shoulders, requiring a metal plate in his neck and multiple spinal fusions.
“I never really recovered after The Expendables,” Stallone confessed. “After that film, I was never physically the same. I always tell young actors now: don’t do your own stunts — it’s just not worth it.”
His wife, Jennifer Flavin, 55, opened up about how terrifying each operation has been for the family. “Every time Sly goes into surgery, it’s scary. He doesn’t like people to know he’s had so many back surgeries, but we worry every single time. You just never know what could happen,” she said.
Their youngest daughter, Scarlet Stallone, 21, also shared her emotional perspective. “My whole childhood, my dad was in pain,” she said. “He pushed through it to be with us, but I can’t imagine what it’s like to live every day hurting.”
Despite the ordeal, Stallone managed to recover quickly from his most recent procedure. “I just hope this one helps him live a more comfortable life,” Flavin said with cautious optimism.
Beyond the surgeries, The Family Stallone season 2 also captures a major transition for the family — their decision to leave California and move permanently to Florida. In one heartfelt moment, Stallone gathers his three daughters — Sophia, 27, Sistine, 25, and Scarlet, 21 — to share the news. “After long, hard consideration, your mother and I have decided it’s time to move on,” he announced.
Jennifer reflected on the emotional weight of that change: “I raised all three of our daughters in California. Everywhere I look, there are memories. But now that they’ve grown up and moved on, I need a big change — and Sly agreed.”
The story reveals a softer side of the action icon — a man who’s spent decades fighting battles both on-screen and off, still showing the same resilience and heart that made him a Hollywood legend.
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