Sylvester Stallone Reflects on Kennedy Center Honor and His Career Journey

Sylvester Stallone Reflects on Kennedy Center Honor and His Career Journey

Sylvester Stallone remains in disbelief after receiving the prestigious Kennedy Center honor, an accolade he feels is unexpected for someone who has always pursued his craft with passion.

In a conversation with Fox News Digital, the esteemed actor shared his astonishment at being recognized for work he claims he would gladly do for free.

Stallone expressed, “I try to put it into words. It’s such a shock and revelation. It’s something I didn’t expect, ever. And now I don’t know what to do.” His candid remarks reveal a man humbled by a lifetime dedicated to entertainment.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

The multi-talented star is currently engrossed in writing a book titled How Rocky Happened: 1969 to the Oscars. This project has prompted him to revisit cherished memories, particularly the exhilarating experiences linked to the iconic Rocky film series.

Stallone explained, “When you receive this Kennedy Center honor, it’s just something I still, at this age, can’t fathom. You get a prize for what you would do for free. I have been incredibly lucky and blessed. And on top of that, you’re gonna give me a chocolate sundae? Come on. Jesus,” reflecting both humor and gratitude.

A Star-Studded Ceremony Ahead

In August, President Donald Trump announced the lineup of honorees slated for the upcoming ceremony scheduled for December. Alongside Stallone, country legend George Strait, the rock band KISS, acclaimed English actor Michael Crawford, and iconic singer Gloria Gaynor, famed for her anthem I Will Survive, will also be recognized.

As the newly appointed chairman of the Kennedy Center, Trump aims to elevate the honors program, advocating for a more glamorous and star-studded celebration.

Trump’s Vision for the Kennedy Center

During his speech, Trump declared, “The 48th Kennedy Center Honorees are outstanding people, incredible, we can’t wait… Since I took on the role of chairman of the board, we have completely reversed the decline of this cherished national institution.” His comments point toward ambitious plans for the center’s future.

When pressed by reporters about his involvement in the selection of honorees for 2025, Trump did not hesitate to assert his significant role.

He revealed, “I was about 98% involved… they all came through me.” This highlights the level of direct influence he wields in the proceedings.

Moreover, Trump disclosed that he rigorously reviewed potential honorees and did not shy away from excluding names he deemed insufficiently aligned with the event’s vision.

“I turned down plenty, they were too woke… I had a couple of wokesters. No, we have great people. This is very different than it used to be,” Trump explained, emphasizing a shift in the event’s tone.

Stallone Discusses His Latest Work

In his interview with Fox News Digital, Stallone also addressed his successful television series Tulsa King. He revealed that this role represents the closest depiction of his true self he has ever portrayed.

“It’s as close as I’m ever going to come to showing who I am, my real personality,” Stallone said. He described the character as a true reflection of himself, asserting, “This is pretty much me as a gangster.”

The Pressure of Success

Stallone acknowledged the challenges of maintaining high-quality production as Tulsa King moves forward. He compared the demands of the series to the pressure he faced while filming the Rocky movies.

“It’s pretty tense, it is. It’s unnerving because, just like with ‘Rocky’s’, how do you top the last round that did better than the one before that? And that comes with, here we go again, the team. You gotta have that great team behind you. But the thing is, it’s true. You don’t win the big games without a great team,” he shared, emphasizing the importance of collaboration.

The anticipation for Tulsa King season three builds as it is set to premiere on Sunday, September 21, exclusively on Paramount+.

Fox News Digital’s Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed to this report.