sylvester stallone

Canadian author David Morrell created the Green Beret character "John Rambo". His novel was later made into a film for the screen. Stallone starred in First Blood (1982) with Richard Crenna & Brian Dennehy. The film, which shocked viewers with its controversial take on the Vietnam conflict that was comparatively fresh in American consciousness, became an immense hit. It was a film that, despite its political views it was a huge success internationally. A sequel, Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), came out. The movie received more criticism due to its narrative that implied that American MIAs were being detained in Vietnam. But they say there is not a bad thing in publicity "John Rambo's" sequel proved to be an enormous money-maker for Stallone and set him up as one the best male performers of the 1980s. Stallone experienced a huge surge in popularity and made Rocky Balboa his old sparring rival. The actor returned to his ring to defend American pride against the Soviet threat, a Russian born boxer named Ivan Drago (played by curt Dolph Ludgren in Rocky IV (1985). This fourth film was a bit controversial among "Rocky" fans, as violence levels seemed excessive compared to the previous "Rocky" films, especially due to the brutal beating sustained in the hands of Apollo Creed, played by Carl Weathers, at the brutality of the "Siberian Express".