L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2025 www.italoamericano.org 6 NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS hadn't happened, I wouldn't b e h e r e n o w . L i f e i s n ' t peaceful; it's survival, and o n l y t h e s t r o n g s u r v i v e . That's what makes the jour- ney worthwhile. L o o k i n g a t y o u r c a r e e r , i t f e e l s l i k e y o u ' v e b e e n e x p l o r i n g t h e e v o l u t i o n o f m a s - c u l i n i t y a n d s u r v i v a l . What have you learned? N o m a n i s a n i s l a n d . Loneliness is devastating, so you have to make the choice t o c o n n e c t . T h a t ' s w h a t keeps a man alive, mentally and emotionally. I think a l o t o f m a l e a c t o r s e i t h e r don't have the opportunity or don't want to show their softer side. People dismiss action films, but when done r i g h t , t h e y ' r e m o d e r n mythology. Mythology has always existed since the first man walked out of a cave, a n d i f y o u c a n a d d t h e human factor – frailty, fear, vulnerability – the audience goes on the ride with you. If a c h a r a c t e r i s i n v i n c i b l e , i m p e r v i o u s t o p a i n a n d emotion, the story loses its connection. What about Rambo? R a m b o i s s c a r e d . H e ' s w e a k , s a d , a c h i l d a b a n - doned by his own country. There's empathy in him; he doesn't feel superior at all. I've always liked when char- acters get hurt, emotionally h u r t . T h e a u d i e n c e c a n relate: you lose a friend, a love, time slips away. That's humanity. Yet so many peo- p l e r e s i s t s h o w i n g t h e i r heart, which I think is crazy. How have your expe- riences in the streaming w o r l d c h a n g e d y o u r view on storytelling? D r a s t i c a l l y . I t h o u g h t hope was gone. Over the last 50 years, I've watched the industry implode because we weren't telling identifi- able stories. We were send- i n g m e s s a g e s i n s t e a d o f entertaining. What makes a film a classic are characters you can relate to and revisit again and again. S p e a k i n g o f c l a s s i c m o v i e s , w h i c h i s y o u r favorite? L i o n i n W i n t e r i s m y f a v o r i t e … P e t e r O ' T o o l e , Katharine Hepburn… it's all about jealousy, love, and human emotion. Every time I watch it, I discover some- t h i n g n e w . T h a t d e p t h i s missing today; by the time y o u f i n i s h y o u r p o p c o r n , the story's gone. D o y o u f e e l , a s a c e l e b r i t y , t h a t y o u ' r e sometimes treated like a king in real life? Yes. It's intoxicating. I always tell my daughters: b e c o m p a s s i o n a t e . M o s t people are doing what they have to survive. Their work may not be glamorous, but it's noble. I n a l l o f y o u r w o r k , whether it's movies or TV series, family has a central role. Does it feel the same for you in real life? A b s o l u t e l y . F a m i l y i s essential. God forbid you're alone at night with no one to share your hopes, fears, or love. I used to put work above everything, but after m a k i n g f a m i l y a p r i o r i t y , life feels more responsible and meaningful. Watching my daughters grow, I realize I w o n ' t b e h e r e f o r e v e r . T h e s e m o m e n t s m a t t e r more than any movie. Was there a particu- lar moment that made you realize this? Yes. I've had eight back o p e r a t i o n s , t h r e e n e c k fusions. I almost got para- lyzed. Before one particular- l y d a n g e r o u s s u r g e r y , I thought: if I survive this, I'll never be the same. That was m y w a k e - u p c a l l . F a c i n g death makes you reassess what's truly important. D w i g h t M a n f r e d i i s c o n s t a n t l y r e b u i l d i n g his life. Does that reflect y o u r o w n j o u r n e y i n Hollywood? Yes. I often ask myself: how much is enough? When do you stop proving your- self? I'm 79, but the answer i s n e v e r . I f y o u h a v e t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o g r o w , y o u take it. Learning dialogue, exploring nuance, challeng- i n g y o u r s e l f : t h a t ' s w h a t keeps life invigorating. How much does this theme of an older man n a v i g a t i n g a n e w e r a resonate with you per- sonally? Very much. I believe in clichés; they're distilled wis- dom. History repeats itself. Aristotle, the Stoics, Marcus Aurelius… they understood human nature thousands of y e a r s a g o . N o t h i n g h a s changed except the clothes. Listening to those who've lived before you is invalu- able. I see my role now as a m e n t o r , p a s s i n g o n w h a t I've learned. W h a t ' s p u s h i n g y o u forward at this stage? Love for the game. Ambi- tion, too. I want to do it bet- ter, more sincerely, more emotionally. Life has given me wisdom about what real- ly matters, and I'm trying to put as much living into life as I can. "Family is essential. God forbid you're alone at night with no one to share your hopes…I used to put work above everything, but after making family a priority, life feels more responsible and meaningful" - Sylvester Stallone CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 Stallone during a scene of Tulsa King (Photo: Brian Douglas/Paramount+) Stallone is, today, among the most recognizable and appreciated Italian-American artists (Photo: Brian Douglas/Paramount+)

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