Sylvester Stallone and Richard Gere have had a strained relationship for decades. The two actors reportedly clashed early in their careers, when both were trying to establish themselves in Hollywood. Stallone has now opened up about what happened and how their disagreement escalated.
The actor discussed the feud in his memoir The Steps. According to Entertainment Weekly, Stallone recalled the conflict while looking back at his experience making The Lords of Flatbush. The 1974 film featured both actors early in their careers, but their time on the project ended with Gere leaving the cast.
The clash unfolded during an early audition that also introduced Stallone to Robert De Niro
Sylvester Stallone recalled having a much better experience while auditioning with Robert De Niro. The two actors improvised together, with Stallone writing, “We were trying to outtalk each other.” His audition with Gere, however, became tense.
According to Stallone, Gere grabbed his T-shirt during an improvisation and dug his fingernails into his skin. Stallone asked him to stop, but claimed Gere repeated the move during another take. Stallone then asked director Stephen Verona if he could respond naturally. When Verona asked what he meant, Stallone said, “I’d knock his teeth out.” Verona reportedly replied, “Please don’t.”
The tension continued once production began. During a lunch break, Stallone and Gere were sitting inside a car because of the cold weather. Gere was eating chicken with mustard and grease, and Stallone warned him not to spill it. However, some of the grease landed on Stallone’s leg.
Stallone recalled that he “elbowed him across the chest” and pulled Gere out of the car. Gere reportedly told him, “Hey, man, I don’t want to get physical.” Stallone responded, “Too late…” before director Stephen Verona stepped in.
The confrontation forced Verona to make a decision about the cast. He ultimately kept Stallone and removed Gere from the film. Perry King replaced Gere, while De Niro also left the project separately. Henry Winkler later joined the cast.
The feud reportedly continued for decades. Elton John later described another alleged confrontation between the actors at a 1990s dinner party involving Princess Diana, although Stallone has disputed that account.
